CI-NEWS

Ensuring the safety of travellers during Covid-19: International travel consultant says Cameroon is

2020-08-03

No: 519

Ensuring the safety of travellers during Covid-19: International travel consultant says Cameroon is light years ahead of US!

A US-based Cameroonian International travel consultant has appreciated the efforts of the government of Cameroon in ensuring the safety of travellers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Frederick Mbayu who is Lead presenter at the United States Congress on the importance of international travel and education hailed the country’s leadership for imposing strict preflight and in-flight requirements while gradually opening the country to visitors.

Dr Mbayu who travelled a few days ago into Cameroon said the country was light years ahead of the US and other countries in terms of ensuring safety of travelers during Covid-19.

‘The visa application process in Washington is straightforward and the whole travel experience by many metrics is better than travel in the US and other nations, which is scarce, during this pandemic” he wrote.

Following is an account of his personal experience on landing at the Douala Airport:

“Prior to landing, the cabin crew distributes a health questionnaire/contact tracing form. Disembarkation is done by row. Orderly and strictly-enforced distancing is observed. As soon as you get off the aircraft, you go through three health officers in complete PPE.

-The first officer sprays your hand luggage with an aerosol disinfectant.

-The second squirts hand sanitizer/disinfectant gel in your outstretched open hands.

-The third officer employs a no-touch temperature scanning device to control your temperature.

Next, there is a control of your passport and Covid-19 test results before you get into the main concourse of the airport.

This done, you are then allowed to proceed to the health kiosk where you deposit the health questionnaire and present your yellow fever vaccination booklet. From there, police officers guide you to the appropriate line for passport control— families with children are directed to the family-friendly expedited control lane.

After your passport is stamped, you proceed go to the carousel to collect your luggage. The room and all conspicuous spaces at the airport has audiovisual displays on how to avoid the spread of the novel coronavirus and other diseases. You can use the free carts/caddies to haul your luggage and zoom through customs control, if you have nothing to declare.

Finally, you present your luggage tags to an officer who ascertains that you have the right pieces of luggage.

This frequent traveler appreciates the efforts of the government of Cameroon in ensuring the safety of travelers. The visa application process in Washington is straightforward and the whole travel experience by many metrics is better than travel in the US and other nations, which is scarce, during this pandemic. The low infection numbers reported in Cameroon can without a doubt be attributed mainly to the measures put in place at every step of the journey to this beautiful country. This safe and enjoyable travel experience in these dire straits is a testament to the astute stewardship provided by those in charge. “

Dr. Frederick Mbayu,

International travel consultant.

District of Columbia Public Schools International Travel Ambassador.

International Travel Program Lead at ADMS, Washington DC.

Lead presenter at the United States Congress on the importance of international travel and education.

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Ensuring the safety of travellers during Covid-19: International travel consultant says Cameroon is