The latest health threat had shaken the world and European governments looking to restore international travel discuss solutions allowing to do it safely. But WHO is against so called “COVID immunity” passports.
COVID passports: Is it a good idea?
European economy has been hit hard because of the lockdowns, as individual country’s GDP heavily relies on tourism. Up to 15-20% of country’s GDP’s comes from travellers.
Thinking of opening up borders, countries are trying to find workable solutions. For instance, Chile has introduced the scheme of “immunity passports” for people who have antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 virus, which suggests they have successfully developed an immunity to the decease, The Guardian reported.
But the World Health Organization sees it as too premature.
“Some governments have suggested that the detection of antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, could serve as the basis for an “immunity passport” or “risk-free certificate” that would enable individuals to travel,” WHO’s scientific brief states.
But this could be a false notion, WHO’s authors warn, ” There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection.”
Ukraine’s government about immunity certificates for travel
Ukraine is also discussing such measures, since Ukrainians are able to travel to the countries of the European Union visa-free, but new regulations are expected to be implemented once borders are open.
Possibly, a health certificate (a negative test) on the novel coronavirus may be required to travel to EU, sources in the government proposed, as reported by Segodnya.ua. Several representatives among European countries have voiced such opinions.
Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister in the issues of European integration, said that the issue could be resolved via special medical insurances that every tourist would have to possess.
As Prystaiko pointed out, some tropical countries require immunization certificates from tourists to enter. He believes the solution that could be accepted by the European Union would be similar to that.
All in all, Prystaiko doesn’t believe that the visa-free regime with Europe will have any complications. In another interview, he mentioned that there will be a new level of cooperation and globalization required to get out of this crisis.
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