Quote (Black XistenZ @ Nov 29 2021 11:39am)
Not generally, but in this specific case. Virtually all reported cases in Europe so far have occurred in returning travellers from Southern Africa, so strict testing and quarantining rules make a lot of sense. If Omicron eventually takes off, having kept up this strict border regime might buy us something like two-three weeks, which in this context is a whole lot.
Also let's not forget that the WHO has in the past been reflexively against any travel restrictions
Because travel restrictions don't really work against a virus like Covid.
When Trump banned China we already knew about cases in several cities, indicating there was likely already community spread. Trump would have needed to act in February at the latest, and he waited until mid-March.
New variants occuring are unlikely to be contained after they've spread to Hong Kong and Europe. A travel ban to the U.S. might be justified in this case because we don't have any detected cases yet, but still unlikely we will be able to stop them from getting in for any significant amount of time.
Is there a specific publication you're referencing when you say the WHO is critical of travel restrictions due to omicron? They likely spell out their reasoning.