HEALTH
Travel bans reveal state of HIV discrimination
December 1, 2018 - As World Aids Day marks its 30th anniversary, travel restrictions for people living with HIV remain common around the world, including bans on entry, denial of work and residence permits, and even deportations.
HIV-related travel restrictions currently exist in more than 50 countries and territories across the world. Most of them place limits on the amount of time HIV-positive foreigners can stay, while a smaller number of countries ban entry altogether, or deport travellers found to have HIV.
The restrictions were largely adopted by governments in the early 1980s when little was known about HIV and its spread. Despite medical advances that have made HIV a manageable disease, the restrictions remain, perpetuating stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV, according to the UN.