Corona Virus - Update
Updated WHO recommendations for international traffic in relation to COVID-19 outbreak
28 February 2020
This document provides updated recommendations for
international traffic in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak, in light of
the rapidly evolving situation. It supersedes the advice published on 27 January 2020.
On 30 January 2020, the Director-General of the World Health
Organization, following the advice of the Emergency Committee convened
under the International Health Regulations (2005), declared the current
outbreak of COIVD-19 a public health emergency of international concern
and issued Temporary Recommendations. The Committee asked the
Director-General to provide further advice on these matters and, if
necessary, to make new case-by-case recommendations, in view of this
rapidly evolving situation.
Affected areas
“Affected areas” are considered those countries, provinces,
territories or cities experiencing ongoing transmission of COVID-19, in
contrast to areas reporting only imported cases. As of 27 February 2020,
although China, particularly the Province of Hubei, has experienced
sustained local transmission and has reported by far the largest number
of confirmed cases since the beginning of the outbreak, lately the
situation in China showed a significant decrease in cases. At the same
time, an increasing number of countries, others than China, have
reported cases, including through local transmission of COVID-19. As the
epidemic evolves, it will be expected that many areas may detect
imported cases and local transmission of COVID-19. WHO is publishing
daily situation reports on the evolution of the outbreak.
The outbreaks reported so far occurred primarily within
clusters of cases exposed through close-contacts, within families or
special gathering events. COVID-19 is primarily transmitted through
droplets from, and close contact with, infected individuals. Control
measures that focus on prevention, particularly through regular hand
washing and cough hygiene, and on active surveillance for the early
detection and isolation of cases, the rapid identification and close
monitoring of persons in contacts with cases, and the rapid access to
clinical care, particularly for severe cases, are effective to contain
most outbreaks of COVID-19.
Recommendations for international traffic
WHO continues to advice against the application of travel or trade restrictions to countries experiencing COIVD-19 outbreaks.
In general, evidence shows that restricting the movement of
people and goods during public health emergencies is ineffective in most
situations and may divert resources from other interventions.
Furthermore, restrictions may interrupt needed aid and technical
support, may disrupt businesses, and may have negative social and
economic effects on the affected countries. However, in certain
circumstances, measures that restrict the movement of people may prove
temporarily useful, such as in settings with few international
connections and limited response capacities.
Travel measures that significantly interfere with
international traffic may only be justified at the beginning of an
outbreak, as they may allow countries to gain time, even if only few
days, t to rapidly implement effective preparedness measures. Such
restrictions must be based on a careful risk assessment, be
proportionate to the public health risk, be short in duration, and be
reconsidered regularly as the situation evolves.
Travel bans to affected areas or denial of entry to passengers
coming from affected areas are usually not effective in preventing the
importation of cases but may have a significant economic and social
impact. Since WHO declaration of a public health emergency of
international concern in relation to COVID-19, and as of 27 February, 38
countries reported to WHO additional health measures that significantly
interfere with international traffic in relation to travel to and from
China or other countries, ranging from denial of entry of passengers,
visa restrictions or quarantine for returning travellers. Several
countries that denied entry of travellers or who have suspended the
flights to and from China or other affected countries, are now reporting
cases of COVID-19.
Temperature screening alone, at exit or entry, is not an
effective way to stop international spread, since infected individuals
may be in incubation period, may not expressed apparent symptoms early
on in the course of the disease, or may dissimulate fever through the
use of antipyretics; in addition, such measures require substantial
investments for what may bear little benefits. It is more effective to
provide prevention recommendation messages to travelers and to collect
health declarations at arrival, with travellers’ contact details, to
allow for a proper risk assessment and a possible contact tracing of
incoming travellers.
Recommendations for international travellers
It is prudent for travelers who are sick to delay or avoid
travel to affected areas, in particular for elderly travelers and people
with chronic diseases or underlying health conditions.
General recommendations for personal hygiene, cough etiquette
and keeping a distance of at least one meter from persons showing
symptoms remain particularly important for all travellers. These
include:
- Perform hand hygiene frequently, particularly after contact with respiratory secretions. Hand hygiene includes either cleaning hands with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand rub. Alcohol based hand rubs are preferred if hands are not visibly soiled; wash hands with soap and water when they are visibly soiled;
- Cover your nose and mouth with a flexed elbow or paper tissue when coughing or sneezing and disposing immediately of the tissue and performing hand hygiene;
- Refrain from touching mouth and nose;
- A medical mask is not required if exhibiting no symptoms, as there is no evidence that wearing a mask – of any type – protects non-sick persons. However, in some cultures, masks may be commonly worn. If masks are to be worn, it is critical to follow best practices on how to wear, remove and dispose of them and on hand hygiene after removal (see Advice on the use of masks).
As for any travel, travellers are also advised to follow proper food hygiene practices, including the five keys for food safety, as well as recommendations to reduce the risk of transmission of emerging pathogens from animals to human in live markets.
For travellers returning from affected areas, travellers
should self-isolate for 14 days, and monitor their symptoms, and follow
national protocols of receiving countries. Some countries may require
returning travellers to enter quarantine. If symptoms occur, such as
fever, or cough or difficulty breathing, travellers are advised to
contact local health care providers, preferably by phone, and inform
them about their symptoms and their travel history. For travellers
identified at points of entry, it is recommended to follow WHO advice
for the management of travellers at points of entry. Guidance on treatment of sick passengers on board of airplanes is available on ICAO and IATA websites. Key considerations for planning of large mass gathering events are also available on WHO website. Operational considerations for managing COVID-19 cases on board of ships has also been published.
For countries who decide to repatriate nationals from affected areas, they should consider the following to avoid further spread of COVID-19:
exit screening shortly before flight; risk communication to travelers
and crew; infection control supplies for voyage; crew preparedness for
possibility of sick passenger in flight; entry screening on arrival and
close follow-up for 14 days after arrival.
General recommendations to all countries
Countries should intensify surveillance for unusual outbreaks
of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia and monitor carefully the
evolution of COVID-19 outbreaks, reinforcing epidemiological
surveillance. Countries should continue to enhance awareness through
effective risk communication concerning COVID-19 to the general public,
health professionals, and policy makers, and to avoid actions that
promote stigma or discrimination. Countries should share with WHO all
relevant information needed to assess and manage COVID-19 in a timely
manner, as required by the International Health Regulations (2005).
Countries are reminded of the purpose of the International
Health Regulations to prevent, protect against, control and provide a
public health response to the international spread of diseases, in ways
that are commensurate with and restricted to public health risks, and
which avoid unnecessary interference with international protect public
health. Countries implementing additional health measures which
significantly interfere with international traffic are required to
provide to WHO, within 48 hours of implementation, the public health
rationale and relevant scientific information for the measures
implemented. WHO shall share this information with other States Parties
Significant interference generally means refusal of entry or departure
of international travellers, baggage, cargo, containers, conveyances,
goods, and the like, or their delay, for more than 24 hours.
WHO continues to engage with its Member States, as well as
with international organizations and industries, to enable
implementation of travel-related health measures that are commensurate
with the public health risks, are effective and are implemented in ways
which avoid unnecessary restrictions of international traffic during the
COVID-19 outbreak.
This update is directly taken from the WHO website : www.who.int Purpose of posting this Update on our blog is to bring awareness and bring the latest update to all those who read our blog and can use this update to stay aware and stay safe.
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