29 Apr 2010

Chinese Lift HIV+ Entry Ban



In another surprise move to come out from the Chinese Government in recent months is the announcement that it's ban on HIV+ people entering the country has been lifted.






The Chinese government struggling to be seen as a more liberal and open society has announced that it's overturned the ban on foreign nationals with HIV from coming in to the country. A ban that has been in place for some twenty years now.


This is the first time the country has lifted the ban permanently,      previously it has temporarily halted or lifted it,  mainly for very large events, for example during the 1990 Beijing Asian Games and again in 2008 for the Beijing Olympics. 


The Chinese Government said in a statement that the ban had been made with “limited knowledge about HIV/AIDS and other diseases.”   The country has also reversed  it's previous entry restrictions for people with leprosy and sexually transmitted infections.  


Genevieve Edwards, from the Terrence Higgins Trust, said “It’s shocking that anyone could be treated like a second class citizen because of their medical condition. Entry bans do nothing to safeguard public health. Their only real impact is to increase stigma and prevent ordinary people with HIV from getting on with their lives. We’re delighted that the Chinese entry restrictions for people with HIV have now been lifted. Terrence Higgins Trust has campaigned for many years to end this discriminatory policy.”












© 2010 Copyright Jason Shaw

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