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FRANKFURT: The World Health Organisation warned countries yesterday not to impose blanket travel bans over the new Omicron coronavirus variant as governments and scientists tried to figure how much protection current vaccines would offer against the strain. Financial markets fell sharply after the head of drugmaker Moderna said existing Covid-19 vaccines would be less effective against the Omicron variant, but they recovered strongly after more reassuring comments from European officials. BioNTech’s chief executive also struck a cautiously positive note, saying BioNTech and Pfizer’s vaccine was likely to offer strong protection against severe disease from Omicron. The WHO said that blanket travel bans would not stop the new variants spread but would place a “heavy burden” on lives and livelihoods. It advised governments to take measures such as screening or quarantine of international passengers if the evidence warranted it. However, people who are unwell or at higher risk of developing severe Covid-19, including those 60 years or older, should postpone travel, the WHO said in a statement.
WHO advises against travel bans
FILE PHOTO: A logo is pictured outside a building of the World Health Organization (WHO) during an executive board meeting on update on the coronavirus outbreak, in Geneva, Switzerland. Reuters Photo
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