Some good things are happening restoring my faith in humanity amidst the darkness brought about by the COVID-19.
According to CNN, "Portugal has temporarily given all migrants and asylum seekers full citizenship rights, granting them full access to the country's healthcare as the outbreak of the novel coronavirus escalates in the country. xxx The Portuguese Council of Ministers explained that the decision was taken to 'reduce the risks for public health' of maintaining the current scheduling of appointments at the immigration office, for both the border agents and the migrants and asylum seekers." (Read more here.)
This is an exemplary move because migrants and asylum seekers go to a place that they consider as a refuge where they feel they can live safely. The process for visa application leading to citizenship can be long, tedious and costly, but in a situation when there are some strict border controls due to epidemic/pandemic, which is a war between humanity and unseen enemy, a very good government steps up and takes the appropriate actions. For one, the Portuguese government by this move protects other residents by granting those migrants and asylum seekers full citizenship rights including full access to the country's healthcare. Two points as I understand it and correct me if I am wrong -- there will be contactless processing of things while observing social distancing, and they will not have fears approaching health authorities to undergo medical tests, and treatment if found to be sick or infected with the coronavirus.
This is a very good move because if one a person who happens to be a migrant or asylum seeker, is afflicted with a contagious disease and he is not quarantined for proper treatment, it will spread like a wildfire. The contagion effect will be felt by the community, later the country, and other countries as well in case there are international travelers who come close to the virus carriers.
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), GulfToday.ae reports that "the UAE Cabinet approved extending of residence visas that ended from the first of March, 2020, or within the period specified by this decision, for three months subject to renewal, and without any additional charges at renewal, in addition to the exemption of any fines incurred by the current conditions. This is in line with the precautionary measures taken by the government against repercussions of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) on various sectors in the country." (Read more here.)
This is a big relief for them because with the residence visas automatically extended for another three (3) months, they are protected, can have access to healthcare and move freely. Those whose visas finished maybe have plans to go back home but cannot do so because flights are canceled due to coronavirus outbreak so how they will stay longer with peace of mind if there was no such ruling?
I think that it will take another six (6) months to a year to see if things will get back to normal, but for sure the UAE government will continuously assess the situation and respond to the situation properly for public safety and protection.
Once again, we have seen the priceless value of health. It is true that health is wealth so a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. Just one deadly virus can paralyze and kill the country, but a country that refuses to die cannot be put down under the ground.
The questions asked to patients under investigation (PUI) include the recent travel history. So even if it hurts the travel and tourism industry, with this pandemic hurting all, it is but a very right move to cancel flights and be extremely strict in border control to limit public movement and contain coronavirus.
For those inside the country, one of the very smart moves is to get them protected by having full access to the healthcare system which can be made possible with an online renewal of their visas with ease. In times of economic difficulties brought about by this unprecedented pandemic, waiving of fines if they overstay will truly help. This way they can live normal lives and in turn, they can help the economy. The virtual job board will be a useful platform for all virtual job seekers to earn a living.
With the global and local health authorities' advisory on social distancing and avoiding public places and events, the tourist destinations are closed for some time. Tourism is the target source of revenues after the oil and gas industry, so this is really a big challenge. There is a revolution in workplaces, and homes are considered to be the new workplaces with the work-from-home trend. This is good in a way -- those residential buildings will be occupied. But the question is how can the residents pay their rent if they can't find the right opportunities to meet their survival expenses, send money home and save for emergencies and retirement? They must consider the difference in earning money at the country of origin, and residence. Is the difference substantial to compensate for time not spent with the families and the country's brain drain?
I have observed how disciplined people are in the UAE. During the recent weekend curfew (8PM to 6AM) as there would be heavy disinfecting of some public areas, the roads were empty. There were massive information awareness campaigns, announced in different languages that could be best understood by different nationalities. Sometimes I wonder how they can well manage to handle 200+ nationalities.
I am thinking -- what if a generic card like a prepaid mobile phone load credits card amounting to AED100, would be offered to the public with ease, say, in supermarkets, grocery stores and other channels, or online with printable something? The present low-cost employee insurance can be enhanced and modified so all will have access to the healthcare system.
On 15 October 2015, there was a new low-cost employee insurance system and there was no bank guarantee (AED3K) anymore when a person gets employed. The AED60/year insurance covers AED20K/year, overtime allowance, vacation allowance, unpaid wages, end-of-service benefits, return ticket and work-injury cases. It also covers cost of replacing the worker in case of work interruption, health issues or worker's decision to cancel working relationship.
Another exemplary move was that of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz. According to English.AlArabiya.net, "he has ordered coronavirus treatment to be available for anyone in need of medical care, including people who have overstayed their visa in the Kingdom, Health Minister Tawfig al-Rabiah said on Monday." (Read more here.)
Each of us must passionately maintain calmness. Let us pray for our country leaders to protect people in their territories and make access to the healthcare and insurance system easy for all, so we can focus on prevention while our medical frontliners attend to the treatment of sick patients. Let us stay strong in faith and seek divine intervention for this coronavirus to end.
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Photo credits: Pixabay
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