KINGSTON, Jamaica – Stakeholders in the local tourism industry have given their support to recommendations made by the World Health Organisation [WHO] calling on nations to lift travel bans and mandatory vaccination for entry into countries.

The WHO, in a statement on Friday, reasoned that closed borders failed to contain the highly transmissible omicron coronavirus variant that was first detected in South Africa last November.

“The failure of travel restrictions introduced after the detection and reporting of omicron variant to limit the international spread of omicron demonstrates the ineffectiveness of such measures over time. Travel measures should be based on risk assessments and avoid placing the financial burden on international travellers in accordance with Article 40 of the IHR [International Health Regulations},” the WHO stated.

https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/tourism_stakeholders_back_who_recommendation_to_remove_travel_bans