World Health Organisation calls for strict Covid-19 safety measures as African countries resume air travel
Despite border restrictions, imported cases brought back Covid-19 to countries which had not reported cases for a length of time.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) urged African countries to take effective measures to mitigate the risk of a surge in infections due to the resumption of commercial flights and airport operations.
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WHO African Region reported that due to the pandemic 36 countries closed their borders to international travel, eight suspended flights from countries with high Covid-19 transmission and others had partial or no restrictions.
So far Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Tanzania and Zambia have resumed commercial flights. The 15-member Economic Community of West African States is expected to open their airspace on July 21.
WHO stated that despite border restrictions, imported cases brought back Covid-19 to countries which had not reported cases for a length of time.
Seychelles had not had a locally transmitted case since April 6. In the last week 66 new cases, all crew members of an international fishing vessel, were reported.
“Air travel is vital to the economic health of countries,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
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“As we take to the skies again, we cannot let our guard down. Our new normal still requires stringent measures to stem the spread of COVID-19.”
To resume international air travel, WHO recommended that countries assess the epidemiological situation to determine whether maintaining restrictions outweighs the economic costs of reopening borders if, for instance, there is widespread transmission of the virus.
“It is also crucial to determine whether the health system can cope with a spike in imported cases and whether the surveillance and contact tracing system can reliably detect and monitor cases.”
African countries were urged to have systems in place at points of entry including airports.
“Comprehensive entry and exit screening should be considered based on risk assessment and cost-benefit analysis, and as part of the overall national response strategy.
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“Such screening may target, as a priority, direct flights from areas with community transmission. In addition, observance of preventive measures such as personal hygiene, cough etiquette, physical distancing remains crucial.
“Passengers should be registered and followed up, and if they develop symptoms be advised to inform health authorities.”
“The resumption of commercial flights in Africa will facilitate the delivery of crucial supplies such as testing kits, personal protective equipment and other essential health commodities to areas which need them most,” Moeti said.
“It will also ensure that experts, who can support the response can finally get on the ground and work.”
WHO acknowledged that the impact of Covid-19 on airlines is likely to be severe.
“African airlines could lose billions of passenger revenue compared to 2019 and job losses in aviation and related industries could grow to 3.1 million, half of the region’s 6.2 million aviation-related employment, according to the International Air Transport Association.
“In the worst-case scenario, international air traffic in Africa could see a 69 per cent drop in international traffic capacity and 59 per cent decline in domestic capacity, according to an analysis by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.”
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