The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday urged African governments to take effective measures to mitigate the risk of an increase in coronavirus infections due to the resumption of commercial flights, reported Anadolu Agency.
“Air travel is vital to the economic health of countries,” Regional Director for Africa Dr. Matshidiso Moeti said in a statement. “But 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.”
The statement comes after several African countries have gradually begun to reopen their borders and air spaces. Notably, many African governments imposed confinement and travel restrictions in the early days of the pandemic. In total, 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.
According to the WHO, several African countries including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Tanzania and Zambia have already resumed commercial flights, while the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is expected to open airspace July 21.
“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.
She said resumption of flights will help support experts who can go on the ground and work.
Moeti said the WHO has found that lockdowns, along with public health measures, reduced the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus, which originated in China last December, has spread to at least 188 countries and regions. According to figures compiled by US-based Johns Hopkins University, the pandemic has killed more than 517,600 people worldwide, with and excess of 10.77 million confirmed cases, while recoveries have surpassed 5.52 million.
As far as the African continent is concerned, there are over 415,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases with more than 196,000 recoveries and 10,200 deaths, according to the WHO.
