This archive report was first published on 5 July 2020.
On June 30, the European Union announced its list of 14 non-EU countries whose citizens would be permitted into the bloc from July 1. Four African countries made the cut: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Rwanda.
While the US wasn't included, Americans can travel to these countries if they have residency in one of the 'safe' nations. The EU's criteria for determining a country's safety include an infection rate equal to or lower than the EU's two-week average, a stable or downward trend, and the country's overall handling of the pandemic, including its healthcare infrastructure, testing capacity, and data reliability.
It's no surprise that Rwanda, with its transparent approach to the pandemic and low infection rate, made the list. In fact, by the close of Wednesday, the combined reported confirmed Covid-19 cases for all of the East African Community were 10,384, with Algeria and Morocco reporting significantly higher numbers.
Meanwhile, in Tanzania, President John Magufuli has declared that the Almighty has banished the virus from the republic, and since April 26, the country hasn't released regular Covid-19 data. In Burundi, President Evariste Ndayishimiye has taken a more pragmatic approach, declaring Covid-19 the country's 'biggest enemy.'
As the pandemic continues to spread, it's clear that transparency and effective handling of the virus are key to earning international confidence. The EU's list is a testament to this, and Rwanda's inclusion is a welcome recognition of its efforts.
