IATA urges governments to accelerate easing of travel restrictions

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on governments to accelerate the easing of travel restrictions as COVID-19 continues to evolve from a pandemic to an endemic. IATA urged governments to eliminate all obstacles to travel (including quarantine and testing) for passengers fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved vaccine, allow unquarantined travel for unvaccinated travelers with a negative pre-boarding antigen test, eliminate travel bans, and accelerate the easing of travel restrictions, recognizing that travelers pose no greater risk of spreading COVID-19 than already exists in the general population. “With the experience of the omicron variant, there is increasing scientific evidence and opinions against the adoption of restrictions and bans to control the spread of COVID-19. These measures did not work. Today, omicron is present in all regions of the world. This is why travel, with few exceptions, does not increase the risk to populations at large. The billions spent on testing travelers would be much more effective if they were used to distribute vaccines or strengthen health systems”, said Willie Walsh, IATA’s General Director. – https://valordaaviacao.org.br/iata-pede-que-governos-acelerem-a-flexibilizacao-das-restricoes-de-viagens/