EU travel curbs had ‘little or no impact on Omicron’

Friday, 02 Feb, 2022 0

A study suggests travel restrictions imposed across Europe to contain Omicron were unnecessary.

Independent research in Finland and Italy showed the inefficiency of recent travel restrictions.

Analysis by Oxera and Edge Health found that pre-departure testing is ineffective in stopping or even limiting the spread of the Omicron variant.

It assessed the testing restrictions imposed by both countries last month.

It said it made no distinct difference to transmission of Omicron cases in the two countries.

As variants circulate well ahead of the time they are identified, later travel restrictions are ineffective, it concluded.

EU travel restrictions had ‘little or no impact on the spread of Omicron.’

ACI Europe and IATA urged all countries to align with the common EU framework.

They called out the Governments of Austria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Malta to abandon unnecessary restrictions.

"The research is clear that the inevitable delay in identifying new variants means that transmission already occurs by the time travel restrictions are imposed. Keeping testing in place for vaccinated passengers therefore seems completely ineffective from the health point of view, but damages passenger confidence and national economies," said Conrad Clifford, IATA Deputy Director General.

TravelMole Editorial Team

Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

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