With the controversy over the Out Takes gay film festival prize of a trip to Fiji, where laws criminalsing gay sex in private are still on the books, the accompanying unease over Fiji's refusal to allow people with HIV into the country for a holiday or on business has been pushed into the background a little. Technically HIV is an infectious or communicable disease, but it's much harder to pass on than, say, tuberculosis. Of course Fiji isn't the only country which doesn't allow HIV positive people in. And a surprising number of countries place restrictions on entry, according to HIV advocacy organisation Body Positive Auckland. The following list has been compiled by Body Positive, which recommends that, if you are HIV positive and wish to visit or pass through one of the countries with restrictions, you should contact that's country's nearest embassy or consulate anonymously and ask three simple questions: 1. Can people who are HIV positive travel to your country? 2. Do HIV Positive people need a special visa to enter your country? 3. If I bring HIV medication with me what documentation must I have with me? Quick check list: Argentina No restrictions Australia No restrictions Austria No restrictions Belgium No restrictions Brazil Restrictions apply Canada No restrictions China No entry Croatia No restrictions Czech Republic Restrictions apply Denmark No restrictions Fiji No entry Finland No restrictions France No restrictions Germany No restrictions Greece No restrictions Hungary Restrictions apply India Restrictions apply Indonesia No entry Ireland No restrictions Israel No restrictions Italy No restrictions Japan No restrictions Kenya Restrictions apply Korea No restrictions Malta No restrictions Mexico Restrictions apply Nepal Restrictions apply Netherlands No restrictions Norway No restrictions Philippines Restrictions apply Portugal No restrictions Russia Restrictions apply Seychelles No restrictions Slovenia No restrictions Spain No restrictions Sweden No restrictions Switzerland No restrictions Thailand Restrictions apply Turkey Restrictions apply United Arab Emirates No restrictions United Kingdom No restrictions United States of America Restrictions apply Zimbabwe Restrictions apply Travel insurance can be difficult to obtain for HIV positive people, but Body Positive Auckland can provide insurance at extremely competitive rates: Phone toll free 0800 448 5463 for details. GayNZ.com; Body Positive Auckland - 4th June 2006
Credit: GayNZ.com; Body Positive Auckland
First published: Sunday, 4th June 2006 - 12:00pm