IATA Calls For End To Inconsistent COVID-19 Travel Restrictions

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IATA Calls For End To Inconsistent COVID-19 Travel Restrictions
IATA Calls For End To Inconsistent COVID-19 Travel Restrictions

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for an end to wildly inconsistent COVID-19 travel restrictions that are stalling the recovery of air transport.

The global aviation body stated this in a statement issued on Monday and seen by Nairametrics.

The group urged governments to implement simplified regimes to manage the risks of COVID-19 as borders re-open to international travel.

Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, stated, “Travel restrictions bought governments time to respond in the early days of the pandemic. Nearly two years later, that rationale no longer exists. COVID-19 is present in all parts of the world.

IATA Calls For End To Inconsistent COVID-19 Travel Restrictions

“Travel restrictions are a complex and confusing web of rules with very little consistency among them. And there is little evidence to support ongoing border restrictions and the economic havoc they create.”

IATA found that testing results for UK arriving passengers demonstrate that travellers are not adding risk to the local population.

“Of the three million arrivals between February and August only 42,000 tested positive—or fewer than 250 a day. Meanwhile, the daily case count in the UK is 35,000 and the economy—apart from international travel—is wide open. People should be just as free to travel,” added Walsh.