Empathy and use of evidence in handling travellers coming from COVID-19 high-risk countries

Most African countries have implemented the recommendation to quarantine travellers coming from COVID-19 high-risk countries. This is a noble public health intervention which has been shown to reduce new infections and mortality. There have been reports of hostility towards travellers returning from COVID-19 high-risk countries regarding quarantine especially in developing countries. Some have been housed in squalid conditions or asked to pay for their own accommodation in private facilities. Moreover, quarantine has been associated with mental and psychological consequences. With the developments in the rapid antibody diagnostic tests, a better understanding of the immunopathogenesis and progression of COVID-19 there might be a need to implement screening algorithms so that only travellers that pose a danger to the community are quarantined.