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WHO Urges African Countries Resuming Air Travel to Take Safety Measures

Leslie Bonilla

   The World Health Organization called on African countries Thursday to
   take comprehensive safety measures to "mitigate a surge" in COVID-19
   cases, as nations resume air travel.

   The African economy, which is heavily reliant on travel and tourism,
   has been struck hard by the global pandemic.

   "Air travel is vital to the economic health of countries," Dr.
   [1]Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO's regional director for Africa, said
   Thursday in a press release. "But as we take to the skies again, we
   cannot let our guard down. Our new normal still requires stringent
   measures to stem the spread of COVID-19."

   Earlier in the pandemic, 36 sub-Saharan African countries closed their
   borders to international travel, with eight more blocking flights from
   the worst-hit countries. Now, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Tanzania and
   Zambia have resumed commercial flights, and the 15 members of the
   Economic Community of West African States will open their airspaces on
   July 25.

   The WHO recommended that African countries implement "comprehensive"
   entry and exit screening, maintain social distancing where possible,
   encourage "cough etiquette," register incoming passengers and follow up
   with them to track the outbreak.

References

   1. https://www.afro.who.int/news/who-urges-strong-covid-19-safety-measures-african-countries-resume-air-travel

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