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‘Testing and tracing crucial’ to revive global tourism

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) launched guidelines for ‘Safe & Seamless Travel’ in a report published on Thursday, suggesting “testing, contact tracing and health certificates may become the new norm” for travel.

The guidelines form part of the WTTC’s Safe and Seamless Traveller Journey programme which advocates systematic biometric identification for international travellers.

The WTTC argues testing and tracing will be crucial to control the transmission of Covid-19.

The guidelines were produced in accordance with World Health Organisation (WHO) and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, and the guidance of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), following consultation with WTTC members, health experts and government officials.

The WTTC aims to ensure consistent messaging by encouraging global adoption of the guidelines.

WTTC president and chief executive Gloria Guevara said: “Our new guidelines, including testing and tracing, are designed to assist in the recovery of travel and tourism through the identification and isolation of infected travellers.

“This is consistent with advice from the WHO and other leading health authorities that the best way to control and reduce the spread of Covid-19 is through early identification of carriers to ensure they don’t travel.

“The new guidelines mean we can now replace the confusing mix of different measures, including highly-damaging quarantines, which currently exist, to offer confidence to travellers and governments.”

Guevara said: “Travel ‘bubbles’ or ‘corridors’ between low-risk Covid-19 areas or countries will also help limit testing requirements for travellers and support efforts by governments and private businesses to stimulate traveller demand.”

The latest WTTC initiative comes on the back of a series of measures designed to rebuild consumer confidence.

The organisation’s Safe Travels protocols focus on measures for airports, tour operators, attractions, car hire companies, short-term rentals and other travel sectors.

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