The International Air Transport Association recently released a statement discouraging governments from imposing travel bans. Recent bans have arisen in response to the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
More Omicron cases are emerging every day worldwide, and many countries are eager to prevent the spread within their borders. Travel bans and tightened testing restrictions are just two ways leaders are handling this effort.
Some other leaders and organizations question the wisdom of these measures. The World Health Organization has published statements encouraging governments to use different methods to prevent the spread of Omicron.
The WHO stated that travel bans have little effect on the spread of COVID-19 between countries, but they interfere with many people’s ability to support themselves. Such bans can also make leaders hesitant to report accurate data about Omicron within their countries.
The IATA has expressed that governments should listen to the WHO and remove travel bans. A spokesperson suggested that travel bans early in the pandemic did not prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden might be planning to lift the U.S.’s South Africa travel ban. Anthony Fauci, Biden’s chief medical advisor, stated that he’s hopeful the ban will soon be lifted.
Other countries implementing travel bans include England, Canada, and Austria. Many have also increased testing and vaccination requirements.