Aviation trade group the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines has once again called out governments’ ‘unnecessary’ travel bans.
The AAPA says it does little to curb the global spread of the coronavirus as it is already present in more than 100 countries and is now mostly being spread by local transmission.
"It is time for a fundamental rethink on travel restrictions," an AAPA statement said.
"The proliferation of travel restrictions worldwide, and insufficient adherence to the International Health Regulations (IHR) are imposing enormous costs on society with little or no public health benefits," said AAPA director general Andrew Herdman.
AAPA cites the World Health Organization’s misgivings against travel or trade bans as ineffective.
"Governments must strengthen cooperation across borders and work together to develop a more globally co-ordinated set of policy measures, in addressing the current outbreak, avoiding unnecessary social and economic disruption."
"AAPA appreciates the leadership of WHO on this issue and calls on governments to fundamentally reconsider the rationale for such travel restrictions and measures, taking into account the disruption caused to people’s livelihoods and the negative repercussions to the wider economy," Herdman added.
Global group IATA also slammed the US travel ban of continental Europe, which will ‘create enormous cash-flow pressures for airlines,’ said IATA chief Alexandre de Juniac.
"Airlines will need emergency measures to get through this crisis," he said.
