{"id":18205,"date":"2020-07-22T13:52:17","date_gmt":"2020-07-22T12:52:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pelican.travel\/?p=18205"},"modified":"2020-07-22T13:52:21","modified_gmt":"2020-07-22T12:52:21","slug":"updated-who-recommendations-for-international-traffic-in-relation-to-covid-19-outbreak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pelican.travel\/updated-who-recommendations-for-international-traffic-in-relation-to-covid-19-outbreak\/","title":{"rendered":"Updated WHO recommendations for international traffic in relation to COVID-19 outbreak"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This document provides updated recommendations for international traffic in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak, in light of the rapidly evolving situation. It supersedes the advice published on 27 January 2020<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 30 January 2020, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, following the advice of the Emergency Committee convened under the International Health Regulations (2005), declared the current outbreak of COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern and issued Temporary Recommendations. The Committee asked the Director-General to provide further advice on these matters and, if necessary, to make new case-by-case recommendations, in view of this rapidly evolving situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Affected areas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAffected areas\u201d are considered those countries, provinces, territories or cities experiencing ongoing transmission of COVID-19, in contrast to areas reporting only imported cases. As of 27 February 2020, although China, particularly the Province of Hubei, has experienced sustained local transmission and has reported by far the largest number of confirmed cases since the beginning of the outbreak, lately the situation in China showed a significant decrease in cases. At the same time, an increasing number of countries, other than China, have reported cases, including through local transmission of COVID-19. As the epidemic evolves, it will be expected that many areas may detect imported cases and local transmission of COVID-19. WHO is publishing daily situation reports<\/a> on the evolution of the outbreak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The outbreaks reported so far have occurred primarily within clusters of cases exposed through close-contacts, within families or special gathering events. COVID-19 is primarily transmitted through droplets from, and close contact with, infected individuals. Control measures that focus on prevention, particularly through regular hand washing and cough hygiene, and on active surveillance for the early detection and isolation of cases, the rapid identification and close monitoring of persons in contacts with cases, and the rapid access to clinical care, particularly for severe cases, are effective to contain most outbreaks of COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recommendations for international traffic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

WHO continues to advise against the application of travel or trade restrictions to countries experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In general, evidence shows that restricting the movement of people and goods during public health emergencies is ineffective in most situations and may divert resources from other interventions. Furthermore, restrictions may interrupt needed aid and technical support, may disrupt businesses, and may have negative social and economic effects on the affected countries. However, in certain circumstances, measures that restrict the movement of people may prove temporarily useful, such as in settings with few international connections and limited response capacities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel measures that significantly interfere with international traffic may only be justified at the beginning of an outbreak, as they may allow countries to gain time, even if only a few days, to rapidly implement effective preparedness measures. Such restrictions must be based on a careful risk assessment, be proportionate to the public health risk, be short in duration, and be reconsidered regularly as the situation evolves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel bans to affected areas or denial of entry to passengers coming from affected areas are usually not effective in preventing the importation of cases but may have a significant economic and social impact. Since WHO declaration of a public health emergency of international concern in relation to COVID-19, and as of 27 February, 38 countries have reported to WHO additional health measures that significantly interfere with international traffic in relation to travel to and from China or other countries, ranging from denial of entry of passengers, visa restrictions or quarantine for returning travellers. Several countries that denied entry of travellers or who have suspended the flights to and from China or other affected countries, are now reporting cases of COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Temperature screening alone, at exit or entry, is not an effective way to stop international spread, since infected individuals may be in incubation period, may not express apparent symptoms early on in the course of the disease, or may dissimulate fever through the use of antipyretics; in addition, such measures require substantial investments for what may bear little benefits. It is more effective to provide prevention recommendation messages to travellers and to collect health declarations at arrival, with travellers\u2019 contact details, to allow for a proper risk assessment and a possible contact tracing of incoming travellers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recommendations for international travellers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is prudent for travellers who are sick to delay or avoid travel to affected areas, in particular for elderly travellers and people with chronic diseases or underlying health conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

General recommendations for personal hygiene, cough etiquette and keeping a distance of at least one metre from persons showing symptoms remain particularly important for all travellers. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n