January 04, (THEWILL) – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has advised governments to listen to the advice of experts including the World Health Organisation (WHO), which advised against travel restrictions
IATA in an official statement titled, “Statement on Imposition of Travel Restrictions for Travellers from China”, issued on Wednesday, stated, “Several countries are introducing COVID-19 testing and other measures for travellers from China, even though the virus is already circulating widely within their borders. It is extremely disappointing to see this knee-jerk reinstatement of measures that have proven ineffective over the last three years.”
The statement signed by the Director General of IATA, Willie Walsh, added, “Research undertaken around the arrival of the Omicron variant concluded that putting barriers in the way of travel made no difference to the peak spread of infections. At most, restrictions delayed that peak by a few days. If a new variant emerges in any part of the world, the same situation would be expected.
“That is why governments should listen to the advice of experts including the WHO, that advise against travel restrictions. We have the tools to manage COVID-19 without resorting to ineffective measures that cut off international connectivity, damage economies and destroy jobs. Governments must base their decisions on ‘science facts’ rather than ‘science politics’.”
IATA represents some 300 airlines comprising 83% of global air traffic.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
