The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that COVID-19 cases could increase as African nations reopen borders.
The World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday warned that COVID-19 cases could spike, as African nations reopen their land and air borders.
- WHO warned that COVID-19 cases could spike, as African nations reopen their land
- To date, commercial flights have resumed in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Tanzania and Zambia
- According to ICAO analysis, international aviation in Africa is likely to fall by 69 per cent
- The International Aviation Association fears that the impact of the disease on aeroplanes could be severe
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In a statement after a virtual press conference held by the World Agency with the World Economic Forum, the government said it was important for governments to be proactive in mitigating the risks associated with restarting commercial flights.
Among the panellists at the meeting were WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti, Dr Amani Abou-Zeid, Commissioner of Infrastructure and Energy at the African Union Commission; And Regional Director, West and Central African Office, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Prosper Zo’o Minto’o.
In addition to the upheaval, the International Aviation Association fears that the impact of the disease on aeroplanes could be severe, as continental operators could lose $6 billion in revenue.
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According to ICAO analysis, international aviation in Africa is likely to fall by 69 per cent and domestic capacity by 59 per cent.
However, the Supreme Health Agency acknowledged that many African governments acted swiftly by implementing travel restrictions in the early days of the epidemic, with 36 countries closing their borders; Eight suspended flights from high COVID-19 countries, others with no partial or restrictions.
To date, commercial flights have resumed in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Tanzania and Zambia. The airspace of members of the 15-member Economic Community (ECOWAS) of West Africa is set to open on July 21.
Although open borders are important for the free flow of goods and people, its early discovery, however, showed that locks with public health measures reduce the prevalence of the coronavirus novel.
Regional Director Moeti said: “Air travel is vital to the economic health of countries. But when we go back to the sky, we cannot reduce our security. Our new nature requires drastic measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. “
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Furthermore, research published yesterday in Cell Magazine confirmed the existence of a new variant of the disease that dominates global infections and competes outside the original strain but does not make patients sick.
The severe acute respiratory syndrome also known as coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), COVID-19 has a low mutation rate, much lower than influenza and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) / acquired immune deficiency viruses. discovered. Syndrome (AIDS).
In the interim, Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State and vice-presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general election, has urged Nigerians to be more vigilant and adhere to all security regulations and that the epidemic is still around.
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In a statement, the two-time state chief executive explained that lifting interstate travel is only a step by the central government to ease the hardship of the people who depend on their livelihood and sustain the economy.
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