Since this document was published, WHO has updated its advice and released new guidance documents on the implementation of a risk-based approach to international travel. Please refer to those documents for our latest advice.
Key points
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, international travel should always be prioritized for emergencies and humanitarian actions, travel of essential personnel, repatriations, and cargo transport for essential supplies such as food, medicines, and fuel.
- As countries gradually resume international travel, introduction of risk mitigation measures aiming to reduce travel associated exportation, importation and onward transmission of SARS-CoV-2. should not unnecessarily interfere with international traffic and should be based on a thorough risk assessment that is conducted systematically and routinely.
- Decision makers in Member States can conduct risk assessments through a mixed-methods approach (explained in this document and an accompanying risk assessment tool) to calculate the additional burden presented by possible importation of COVID-19 cases and decide policies on that basis of whether they have the capacity to cope with this burden.
- International travellers should not be considered by nature as suspected COVID-19 cases or contacts. Therefore, WHO does not recommend travellers as a priority group for testing.
- The use of “immunity certificates” for international travel in the context of COVID-19 is not currently supported by scientific evidence and is therefore not recommended by WHO.
- The overall health and well-being of communities should be at the forefront of considerations when deciding on and implementing international travel-related measures.
The full document can be accessed here.