Imposing travel restrictions for China arrivals "scientifically unjustified": ACI EUROPE
A closed testing centre is seen in Heathrow Airport in London, Britain, March 18, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
The ineffectiveness of international travel restrictions in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and its multiple variants of concern (VOCs) has been unequivocally recognized by both the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), ACI EUROPE noted.
PARIS, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- The systematic pre-departure or on-arrival testing of travelers from China for COVID-19 is "neither scientifically justified nor risk-based," the Europe branch of Airports Council International (ACI EUROPE) said recently.
In a press release on Dec. 31, 2022, the organization expressed its "regret regarding the actions of a number of states within the EU (European Union) and globally for unilaterally imposing health-related travel requirements."
"These unilateral actions are at odds with all the experience and evidence gained over the past three years," it said, adding that "these travel restrictions do not work."
A medical worker injects a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccine for an 86-year-old resident in Chaoyang District, Beijing, capital of China, July 13, 2022. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
The ineffectiveness of international travel restrictions in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and its multiple variants of concern (VOCs) has been unequivocally recognized by both the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), ACI EUROPE noted.
According to the organization, as states need to remain vigilant to the status and control of the virus, the focus should instead be on increasing genomic sequencing to identify possible new COVID-19 variants and related surveillance.
"Such an approach, as urged by EU Health Commissioner (Stella) Kyriakides in a letter sent earlier this week to the member states, does not require the testing of travelers, but can be achieved by means such as the testing of wastewater from airports," the ACI EUROPE press release said.
"We are once again plunging back into a patchwork of unjustified and uncoordinated travel restrictions, which have no basis in scientific fact," commented Olivier Jankovec, director general of ACI EUROPE.
Passengers walk at the international arrivals area in Heathrow Airport in London, Britain, March 18, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Ying)■
Related articles
Ship that caused Baltimore bridge collapse has been refloated
BALTIMORE (AP) — The container ship that caused the deadly collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key2024-05-21Is the viral Frrrozen hot chocolate really worth £18? We try making the celeb
Ever wanted to tuck into a dessert that will make you feel like you're living the life of Blake Live2024-05-21Kevin Costner praises his Horizon co
Kevin Costner and his co-star in Horizon Sienna Miller spoke of their deep regard for each other on2024-05-21China overcapacity narrative to impact global recovery, green transition: commerce ministry
BEIJING, May 16 (Xinhua) -- The so-called "China overcapacity" accusation made by some Western count2024-05-21A warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest was requested. But no decision was made about whether to issue it
CLAIM: The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin2024-05-21Gantz and Israel's War Cabinet raise pressure on Netanyahu
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under mounting pressure from his own W2024-05-21
atest comment