Countries that are planning to include travellers in its national testing strategy must be cautious to adopt measures based on scientific risk assessment, says the director General of World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. This is a huge challenge faced by International Air Transport Association (IATA) as it is looking for immediate testing regimes to open up cross-border travel.
In the virtual annual meeting of IATA he said that there is no zero risk and one-size-fits all approach for international travel. The situation in each country being different and unique, it is necessary that before opting for an approach, they must conduct a risk-benefit analysis to ensure that the scarce testing resources are not diverted from where it is needed the most.
WHO is also looking forward to lend a helping hand to the countries by "developing a risk assessment and management framework" that will advise them on suitable and safe travel measures "including the appropriate use of testing, taking into account the epidemiology situation and health system capacities in the countries of departure and arrival" he added.