WHO recommends lifting COVID-19 travel restrictions over its ‘inefficacy’
The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged nations to lift or ease COVID-19 travel restrictions, saying they have proven to be of little public health value but detrimental for economic growth.
On January 13, WHO Emergency Committee on International Health Regulations met via video conference to evaluate latest developments in the pandemic situation across the world.
WHO’s recommendation to revisit the COVID-19 response measures comes amid the spread of the Omicron variant.
A statement by WHO partly read “the committee identified the following actions as critical for all countries; lift or ease international traffic bans.
“They do not provide added value and continue to contribute to the economic and social stress experienced by states parties.”
The committee also said the failure of travel restrictions to restrain the cross-border spread of Omicron has proven their inefficacy.
“Countries should rely on evidence-informed risk assessment when choosing to introduce travel requirements, namely masking, testing, vaccination, and quarantine, and avoid placing the financial burden on international travelers.
“The WHO advised for international traffic to not require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for international travel as the only pathway or condition permitting international travel given limited global access and inequitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines,” the statement further stated.
The WHO also urged countries to recognise all vaccines that have received WHO authorisation, particularly in the context of international travel.
The Agency further requested countries to uphold research “to derive the optimal vaccination strategy for reducing infection, morbidity and mortality.”
WHO has approved 10 COVID-19 vaccines, including Covovax, Moderna, Comirnaty, Janssen, Covishield, Sinovac, Astrazeneca, Covaxin, and Sinopharm.
Meanwhile, 10 more vaccines are undergoing review process, including Russia’s Sputnik V and EpiVacCorona.
(Sputnik/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Abuja
TCN announces 16-hour power outage in parts of Abuja, Niger
TCN said the interruption would occur between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on each of the two days.
States
Terrorists surrender 12 rifles, release 10 kidnap victims in Kwara
The report said the rescued victims and recovered weapons were in military custody.
Heading 5
Ex-police officer to be castrated for child sex abuse in Louisiana
District Judge Kevin Kimball sentenced Mr Williams to three life terms in prison and ruled that he would be castrated.
Politics
Obi is incorruptible, says Kwankwaso
Mr Kwankwaso said the attribute is key and needed in the governance of the nation.
Politics
Katsina PDP guber candidate pledges to end unemployment
The candidate said that if elected, he would prioritise policies that would enable young people to secure employment.
States
Zamfara: Abducted children, women rescued after 22 days in bandits’ den
Mr Abubakar said the police, the State Security Service and local hunters swiftly mobilised and carried out a well-coordinated rescue operation.
