WHO criticises travel ban on African nations

Johannesburg, November 29

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The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Sunday urged countries around the world not to impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concerns over the new Omicron variant.

WHO’s regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, called on countries to follow science and international health regulations in order to avoid using travel restrictions. “Travel restrictions may play a role in slightly reducing the spread of Covid but place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods,” Moeti said in a statement.

“If restrictions are implemented, they should not be unnecessarily invasive or intrusive, and should be scientifically based, according to the International Health Regulations, which is a legally binding instrument of international law recognised by over 190 nations,” said Moeti, and praised South Africa for informing WHO as soon as its national laboratory identified the Omicron variant.

“The speed and transparency of the South African and Botswana governments in informing the world of the new variant is to be commended,” said Moeti. “WHO stands with African countries which had the courage to boldly share life-saving public health information, helping protect the world against the spread of Covid-19,” said Moeti.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called the restrictions “completely unjustified”. — AP

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