Coverage dated November 27, 2021 to November 28, 2021
WHO criticizes travel bans on southern African countries
Headline from Press of Atlantic City
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The World Health Organization on Sunday urged countries around the world not to impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concerns over the new omicron
Press of Atlantic City's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.
As the U.S. plans to ban travel from eight southern African countries, the WHO is urging nations to follow science and international health regulations.
Dr. Peter Hotez said travel bans "have not been very effective" during the pandemic and noted new variants emerge from "large unvaccinated populations."
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The World Health Organization on Sunday urged countries around the world not to impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concerns over the new omicron
Given the Omicron variant has already spread beyond southern Africa, a ban on travellers from those countries will slow the spread and buy crucial time, but won’t stop this strain in its tracks.
President Cyril Ramaphosa says blacklisting his nation is 'scientifically unjustified'; UN health director in Africa says it may only slightly reduce the spread of COVID
While investigations continue into the Omicron variant, WHO recommends that all countries "take a risk-based and scientific approach and put in place measures which can limit its possible spread."
Public health experts warn that the rush to impose travel bans on southern African countries after the omicron variant was identified can work against scientific transparency.
NPR's Noel King talks to Dr. Margaret Harris of the World Health Organization about the Omicron variant, why the WHO labeled it a variant of concern and if travel bans are successful.
While investigations continue into the Omicron variant, WHO recommends that all countries "take a risk-based and scientific approach and put in place measures which can limit its possible spread."
IN THE PRESS – Monday, November 29, 2021: South African papers vent their frustation over travel bans imposed after the country detected a new coronavirus variant. For l'Humanité, the Omicron variant…
Malawi's president slammed travel bans imposed by the United States and other nations in response to the discovery of the omicron coronavirus variant, arguing the move represents "Afrophobia."
WHO's regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, called on countries to follow science and international health regulations in order to avoid using travel restrictions.
Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.
