Covid-19: WHO Advises on Travel but Warns ‘Way Out is Long’

The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging governments to be vigilant and carefully assess their strategies in the fight against Covid-19, warning that the road ahead will be challenging.

Issuing advice to governments and health authorities, WHO recommends that essential travel be prioritized and that all countries enforce health measures including mask-wearing, social distancing, hand-washing and Covid-19 screening. It added that travel restrictions alone are not effective to deal with Covid-19, adding that there is no “zero risk” when considering the possible import or export of cases when resuming travel.

It adds that sick travelers and persons at risk such as the elderly and people with chronic illnesses or underlying health conditions should delay or avoid traveling.

The world health authority leaves it up to each country to conduct a risk-benefit analysis and decide on its priorities taking economic, political, and social factors into consideration before opening to travel.

At the same time, the organization underlines that there may never be a perfect vaccine and that the return to normality would be long.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

“The message to people and governments is clear: ‘Do it all’,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, adding that face masks should become a symbol of solidarity.

“A number of vaccines are now in phase three clinical trials and we all hope to have a number of effective vaccines that can help prevent people from infection. However, there’s no silver bullet at the moment – and there might never be”, he added.

The head of WHO went on to note that if a vaccine is found it may not work or its protection could be for just a few months.

In terms of travel, WHO recommends that priority be given to essential travel for emergencies, humanitarian actions, travel of essential personnel. Cargo transport should also be prioritized for essential medical, food and energy supplies.

Based on World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) data, at least 40 percent of nations across the globe have eased Covid-19 travel restrictions, half of which are in Europe.

According to Reuters, Covid-19 has so far infected over 18.14 million worldwide and led to 688,080 deaths with many countries now facing a second wave of infections.

In the meantime, WHO officials said an investigation was ongoing to identify the origins of the deadly virus.