WHO advises against travel bans due to Omicron

The World Health Organization today warned countries against imposing a comprehensive travel ban, explaining that a comprehensive travel ban will not prevent the spread of new mutations. It also advised governments to take measures such as screening or quarantining international passengers.

The World Health Organization has classified Omicron as a variant of concern due to the number of mutations that may help it spread or avoid antibodies from a previous infection or vaccination. "I am equally concerned that many Member States are taking frank and comprehensive measures that are not based on evidence or effective on their own which will only exacerbate inequality," said WHO Secretary-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.