The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on nations across the world to lift travel bans and stop requesting mandatory vaccination as an entry requirement.
According to WHO, "The failure of travel restrictions introduced after the detection and reporting of Omicron variant to limit the international spread of Omicron demonstrates the ineffectiveness of such measures over time. Travel measures should be based on risk assessments and avoid placing the financial burden on international travelers in accordance with Article 40 of the IHR."
WHO added that "the state parties should consider a risk-based approach to the facilitation of international travel by lifting or modifying measures, such as testing and/or quarantine requirements, when appropriate."
WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a statement warned global leaders that the Covid pandemic “is nowhere near over,” saying that the Omicron variant is causing hospitalizations and deaths around the world."
“Make no mistake, Omicron is causing hospitalizations and deaths, and even the less severe cases are inundating health facilities," Tedros says.
He stressed further that: "Omicron may be less severe, on average, but the narrative that it is a mild disease is misleading, hurts the overall response, and costs more lives."
He also cautioned global leaders that “with the incredible growth of Omicron globally, new variants are likely to emerge, which is why tracking and assessment remain critical”.
Credit: wionews.com
Share this:
Post a Comment