IATA Decries 'Knee-Jerk' Travel Bans To Curb Spread Of Virus Variant
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published December 09, 2021 | 12:00 AM
ZURICH (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th December, 2021) The head of the International Air Transport Association accused national governments of overreacting after countries brought back travel curbs in response to the Omicron coronavirus strain.
"After nearly two years with COVID-19 we know a lot about the virus and the inability of travel restrictions to control its spread. But the discovery of the Omicron variant induced instant amnesia on governments which implemented knee-jerk restrictions," Willie Walsh said in a IATA statement.
The statement also quoted an updated travel advisory from the World Health Organization who warned in November that, rather than preventing the international spread, blanket travel bans impacted lives and livelihoods and impeded global health efforts.
The airlines agency's chief urged governments to move away from the "uncoordinated, evidence absent, risk-unassessed mess" that travel restrictions had created ahead of the year-end holiday season to measures that are time-bound and regularly reviewed.
The US, UK, Canada and various other countries enacted quickfire travel bans on countries in southern Africa shortly after South African scientists announced the emergence of the Omicron variant prompting a wave of indignation from African governments.
Omicron cases have so far emerged in most of the countries that have imposed travel bans.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
BISP embraces E-procurement: launches inaugural tender
Modi govt broken all records of oppression to win elections: President AJK
PM for further strengthening economic, trade ties with Turkiye
Administrative machinery actively checking price, weight of roti/naan: minister
Advisor asks tourists to avoid visiting Kaghan during current rains
Business community indebted to Ahsan Zafar for his unprecedented services: Yousu ..
Three Filipinos dead in UAE floods: officials
DC Larkana chairs meeting to review strategy for anti-Polio drive
Registration process under BISP continues in Sargodha
QAU announces scholarships for KP students
Prisoner commits suicide in Timergara Jail
RCB takes action against selling expired food items
More Stories From World
-
Three Filipinos dead in UAE floods: officials
1 hour ago -
Global calls for calm after reported Israeli strike on Iran
1 hour ago -
Iran blasts rattle global markets
2 hours ago -
H5N1 strain of bird flu found in milk: WHO
2 hours ago -
Court aims to wrap Trump jury selection ahead of opening arguments
2 hours ago -
Croatia top court bars president from becoming next PM
2 hours ago
-
Hindu nationalist Modi the favourite as India votes
3 hours ago -
French police surround Iran consulate in Paris: security source
3 hours ago -
Blinken says US 'not involved in any offensive operation'
3 hours ago -
Beijing half marathon runners stripped of medals after controversial finish
4 hours ago -
Sudanese rue shattered dreams as war enters second year
4 hours ago -
Eight killed in Russian strikes
4 hours ago