International travel bans should be lifted or eased, the World Health Organization has urged.
Restrictions on travel “do not provide added value” and continue to contribute to “economic and social stress”.
The UN health organisation updated its international health regulations during an emergency meeting by video conference from Geneva yesterday (Wednesday).
The WHO said: “The failure of travel restrictions introduced after the detection and reporting of Omicron variant to limit international spread of Omicron demonstrates the ineffectiveness of such measures over time.
“Travel measures – e.g. masking, testing, isolation/quarantine, and vaccination – should be based on risk assessments and avoid placing the financial burden on international travellers.”
The WHO also said the requirement to provide proof of vaccination against Covid-19 for international travel may not be needed as “the only pathway or condition” permitting international travel.