IATA denounces “ineffective” COVID-19 testing for passengers from China

International trade association IATA is disappointed that several countries reinstate COVID-19 testing and other measures for travellers from China. “Even though the virus is already circulating widely within their borders. It is extremely disappointing to see this knee-jerk reinstatement of measures that have proven ineffective over the last three years,” Willie Walsh, CEO of IATA said. 

Yesterday, Europe announced a pre-departure coronavirus check for passengers from China entering the continent with discussions continuing today.

European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides added on Twitter that the wastewater will also be closely monitored, and asked European countries to improve stricter domestic surveillance.

Walsh said: “Research undertaken around the arrival of the Omicron variant concluded that putting barriers in the way of travel made no difference to the peak spread of infections. At most, restrictions delayed that peak by a few days. If a new variant emerges in any part of the world, the same situation would be expected.

That’s why governments should listen to the advice of experts, including the WHO, that advise against travel restrictions. We have the tools to manage COVID-19 without resorting to ineffective measures that cut off international connectivity, damage economies and destroy jobs. Governments must base their decisions on ‘science facts’ rather than ‘science politics’.

While China has significantly eased border measures, I urge the Chinese government to remove the need for pre-departure COVID-19 testing for those traveling to China.”