Europe's migrant containment policies threaten the response to covid-19
Bmj, 2020•bmj.com
The world has watched the growing global health crisis caused by covid-19 with alarm, fear,
and desperation. One after another, governments, healthcare systems, and individuals are
adopting increasingly restrictive measures, with “social distancing” now the norm in most
countries. Yet for many people, and especially migrants who have been displaced from their
homes, this is not possible.Several tens of thousands of people are living in migrant camps
around the Mediterranean. These are often run well beyond capacity and in suboptimal …
and desperation. One after another, governments, healthcare systems, and individuals are
adopting increasingly restrictive measures, with “social distancing” now the norm in most
countries. Yet for many people, and especially migrants who have been displaced from their
homes, this is not possible.Several tens of thousands of people are living in migrant camps
around the Mediterranean. These are often run well beyond capacity and in suboptimal …
The world has watched the growing global health crisis caused by covid-19 with alarm, fear, and desperation. One after another, governments, healthcare systems, and individuals are adopting increasingly restrictive measures, with “social distancing” now the norm in most countries. Yet for many people, and especially migrants who have been displaced from their homes, this is not possible.
Several tens of thousands of people are living in migrant camps around the Mediterranean. These are often run well beyond capacity and in suboptimal conditions, including lack of basic infrastructure or hygiene, making them a high risk environment for coronavirus spread. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has called on the Greek government to immediately evacuate its camps, particularly older people and those with chronic diseases, so far without response. 1
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