The World Health Organisation (WHO) has made it clear that travel restrictions “do not provide added value” in the fight against Covid-19.
Expressing concerns over international regulations to combat the virus, it suggested that international traffic bans should be lifted or eased.
In a statement, it made it clear that the failure of travel restrictions introduced after the detection and reporting of Omicron variant to limit international spread of Omicron demonstrates the ineffectiveness of such measures over time.
Moreover, WHO cautioned that such bans “contribute to the economic and social stress experiences” by states, and were thus counterproductive. It also advised destinations not to require proof of vaccination against Covid-19 for international travel.
This was the only way of permitting international travel to restart, given limited global access and inequitable distribution of Covid-19 vaccines, it added. It also said that states should instead consider a risk-based approach to the facilitation of international travel by lifting or modifying measures, such as testing and quarantine, when appropriate.
