A logo is pictured on the World Health Orgnaization WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, June 25, 2020. GENEVA, Nov 30 Reuters countries should apply an evidence-informed and risk-based approach to any travel measures related to the Omicron variant of the coronaviruses, including possible screening or quarantine of international passengers, but blanket bans do not prevent its spread, the World Health Organization WHO said on Tuesday.
The WHO said that people over 60 years of age who are not fully vaccinated or do not have proof of previous SARS-COV- 2 infections and those with underlying health conditions should be advised to postpone travel because they are at higher risk of disease and death.
The variant, first reported in southern Africa a week ago, has brought global alarm, led to travel bans, and highlighted the disparity between massive vaccination pushes in rich nations and sparse inoculation in the developing world. The WHO said on Tuesday that national authorities in countries of departure, transit and arrival may apply a multi-layered approach to mitigate risk, so as to delay or reduce the importation or exportation of the Omicron variant.
The measures may include screening of passengers prior to travel and use of SARS-COV-2 testing or quarantine of international travellers after thorough risk assessment, it said.
It said all measures should be commensurate with the risk, time-limited and applied with respect to travellers' rights.
Blanket travel bans won't prevent the spread, and they place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods, it said.
Some 56 countries were reportedly implementing travel measures aimed at possibly delaying the import of Omicron as of Nov. 28, it added.