UNAIDS met with parliamentarians from around the world in Bangkok recently, calling for an end to all HIV-related travel restrictions, aidsmap reports.

According to the article, 52 countries have some form of restriction on entry, stay or residence for people living with HIV, while 17 other countries prohibit even short-term visits by positive people.

“Travel restrictions for people living with HIV do not protect public health and are outdated in the age of universal access to HIV prevention and treatment,” commented Michel Sidibé, executive director of UNAIDS.

Former President George W. Bush lifted the United States’ HIV travel ban in 2008, but the new policy did not go into effect until January of this year.