When the World Closed Its Doors: The Covid-19 Tragedy and the Future of Borders

This work explores how nearly every country closed its borders during the COVID pandemic, complicating life for residents on both sides of the boundaries. After beginning with an exploration of the Canada/United States borders, the book delves into definitions and examples of border control, what the right to travel means, the definition of “essential” as it pertains to citizens, workers, and travelers; and the complicated status of refugees and asylum seekers. There are examples from the Norway/Sweden line, the U.S./Mexico border, India, and East Asia, where South Korea and Vietnam emerge as examples of how to adeptly handle a public health crisis. There’s a lot of precise detail to share, making the constant chronology and policy changes read like a laundry list of government activities. Authors Alden (Council on Foreign Relations) and Trautman (Border Policy Research Inst., Western Washington Univ.) close with suggestions for the future, including strengthening international cooperation, focusing the use of emergency powers, and developing better crisis management, although they remain skeptical that this level of international cooperation will occur before the next crisis.