UN Chief Calls Omicron-related Border Restrictions 'travel Apartheid'
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published December 02, 2021 | 02:50 PM
UNITED NATIONS, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Dec, 2021 ) :United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that travel restrictions imposed over Covid-19 that isolate any one country or region as "not only deeply unfair and punitive � they are ineffective".
Talking to reporters in New York, he said the only way to reduce the risk of transmission while allowing for travel and economic engagement was to repeatedly test travellers, "together with other appropriate and truly effective measures".
"We have the instruments to have safe travel. Let's use those instruments to avoid this kind of, allow me to say, travel apartheid, which I think is unacceptable," Guterres said.
Omicron was first identified in southern Africa and many countries, including the US and Britain, have announced travel curbs and other restrictions on the region.
Africa has some of the lowest Covid-19 vaccination rates worldwide due to a lack of access to doses.
Guterres has long warned about the dangers of vaccine inequality around the world and that low immunisation rates are "a breeding ground for variants".
"These travel bans are not justified," said African Union Commission chair Moussa Faki Mahamat at the joint news conference with Guterres after the annual meeting between the United Nations and the African Union.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
HEC reviews curricula for environmental sciences degree programme
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
Two Kyiv hospitals evacuating over feared Russian strikes
World must act on neurotech revolution, say experts
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
Heavy rains cause damage to Spezand-Taftan railway track
Woman stabbed in Israel, attacker killed: police
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
16 hours ago -
Kite Flying: From cultural festival to deadly sport
16 hours ago -
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
3 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
5 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
5 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
5 days ago
-
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
5 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
6 days ago -
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
8 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
12 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
12 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
13 days ago