Abstract
BackgroundIn response to the continuing threat of importing novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), many countries have implemented some form of border restriction. A repercussion of these restrictions has been that some travellers have found themselves stranded abroad unable to return to their country of residence, and in need for government support. Our analysis explores the COVID-19-related information and support options provided by 11 countries to their citizens stranded overseas due to travel restrictions. We also examined the quality (i.e., readability, accessibility, and useability) of the information that was available from selected governments’ web-based resources.MethodsBetween June 18 to June 30, 2021, COVID-19-related webpages from 11 countries (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Canada, United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), France, Spain, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand) were reviewed and content relating to information and support for citizens stuck overseas analysed. Government assistance-related data from each webpage was extracted and coded for the following themes: travel arrangements, health and wellbeing, finance and accommodation, information needs, and sources. Readability was examined using the Simplified Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) and the Flesch Kincaid readability tests; content ‘accessibility’ was measured using the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1; and content ‘usability’ assessed using the usability heuristics for website design tool.ResultsNinety-eight webpages from 34 websites were evaluated. No country assessed covered all themes analysed. Most provided information and some level of support regarding repatriation options; border control and re-entry measures; medical assistance; and traveller registration. Only three countries provided information or support for emergency housing while abroad, and six provided some form of mental health support for their citizens. Our analysis of the quality of COVID-19-related information available on a subset of four countries’ websites found poor readability and multiple accessibility and usability issues.ConclusionThis study uniquely analyses government support for citizens stuck abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic. With large variance in the information and services available across the countries analysed, our results highlight gaps, inconsistencies, and potential inequities in support available, and raise issues pertinent to the quality, accessibility, and usability of information. This study will assist policymakers plan and communicate comprehensive support packages for citizens stuck abroad due to the COVID-19 situation and design future efforts to prepare for global public health emergencies.
Highlights
In response to the continuing threat of importing novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), many countries have implemented some form of border restriction
In response to the threats posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, countries around the world have imposed some level of international travel restriction for returning travellers [1,2,3]
This study aims to compare the availability of information and support made available by 11 countries to help their citizens stranded abroad due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions
Summary
In response to the continuing threat of importing novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), many countries have implemented some form of border restriction. Due to the decisions of governments to impose these restrictions and the subsequent challenges in accessing travel or repatriation options, many people, 16 months into the pandemic, have found themselves stranded abroad. This has included those abroad for tourism, business, family, education purposes, among others. While the number of stranded citizens will vary between countries, for Australia it was suggested that over 36,000 citizens were stranded overseas and required assistance to returning home in April 2021 [8] This includes 500 people who were considered vulnerable [8]. While the evacuation and repatriation of citizens is most critical, Hugelius [11] and others have highlighted the important role national governments play in ensuring medical care, psychological, and financial support for their citizens abroad [11, 12]
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