The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released a statement on January 25, in which they urged governments to accelerate the relaxation of travel restrictions. After mass travel restrictions were imposed following the discovery of the Omicron variant, many countries have since relaxed their relaxed entry requirements, the latest being the United Arab Emirates.
READ: UAE reopens borders and Emirates returns to South Africa’s skies
The IATA called for the removal of all travel barriers – such as quarantine and testing – for those who are fully vaccinated by a vaccine approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), citing that travellers pose no greater risk to spread Covid-19 than what already exists in the general population.
Further, in their statement, the IATA referenced a recent study that demonstrated that rigid travel restrictions had very little effect in curbing the spread of the Omicron Variant.
‘While the study is specific to the UK, it is clear that travel restrictions in any part of the world have had little impact on the spread of COVID-19, including the Omicron variant. The UK, France, and Switzerland have recognized this and are among the first to begin removing travel measures. More governments need to follow their lead. Accelerating the removal of travel restrictions will be a major step towards living with the virus,’ said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director-General.
Similarly, WHO has also urged governments to ease or lift international travel bans.
READ: World Health Organization calls for international travel bans to be lifted
Moreover, IATA stated that all signs point to Covid-19 becoming endemic, present in particular regions, as tools are now available to bolster immunity, namely vaccination, and therapeutics. Furthermore, they stressed an integral part that vaccines play in reaching an endemic stage.
However, under that, there are many considerations too, including the fact that there is no universal recognition for all vaccines approved by WHO, and vaccine distribution is disastrously uneven. Only half of the countries in Africa have been able to vaccinate more than 10% of their populations.
Walsh elaborated that ‘urgent consideration is needed for several critical concerns regarding vaccines. While Europe is aligning around a nine-month validity period for primary vaccinations, this is not universal. And booster shot validity has not been addressed. As the first quarter of the year is key to bookings for the peak-northern summer travel season, it is important to provide certainty to potential travellers as early as possible. Governments have declared intentions to support a travel recovery. Addressing questions on vaccination validity is a key element.’
Picture: Pexels
ALSO READ
