WHO(SONNA)-The World Health Organisation (WHO), yesterday, warned of an impending surge in COVID-19 infections, as African nations reopen their land and air borders.
The global agency, in a statement after a virtual press conference held alongside the World Economic Forum, said it was important for governments to be proactive in mitigating the risks posed by the resumption of commercial flights.
The panelists at the gathering included WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti; Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy at the African Union Commission, Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid; and Regional Director, Western and Central African Office, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Prosper Zo’o Minto’o.
Aside the surge, the International Air Transport Association feared that the impact of the disease on airlines was likely to be severe, as continental operators could lose as high as $6 billion in revenue.
The apex health agency, however, acknowledged that many African governments acted swiftly by implementing travel restrictions in the early days of the pandemic, noting that 36 nations shut their borders; eight suspended flights from high COVID-19 countries, while others had partial or no restrictions.
So far, Cameroun, Equatorial Guinea, Tanzania and Zambia have resumed commercial flights. The 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is to open members’ airspace on July 21.
WHO observed that while open borders were key to the free flow of goods and people, its initial finding, nonetheless, showed that lockdowns along with public health measures reduced the spread of the novel coronavirus.
SOURCE:WHO
