WTTC calls for a change to border strategy

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is calling on governments to redefine their whole approach to risk assessment, to revive international travel. It recommends governments abandon the concept of ‘high-risk countries’ and instead focus on how individual ‘high-risk travellers’ are treated at borders.

The WTTC believes we must learn to live with the virus, as it will take time for the global population to be vaccinated.

In the meantime, it argues that a common international consensus on the metrics used to assess risk combined with a laser-like focus on a cost-effective, comprehensive, and rapid departure and arrival testing scheme for all travellers, could pave the way forward for the meaningful return of travel.

It would also ensure only those affected are forced to isolate, while travellers who test negative can continue to enjoy safe travels.

The WTTC states that risk based on entire countries is neither effective nor productive. Redefining risk towards individual travellers instead will be key for unlocking the door to the return of safe international travel.

Labelling entire countries as ‘high-risk’ assumes everyone is infected. However, while the UK is currently seeing high levels of infections, clearly not all citizens are infected; and the same applies for all Americans, Spaniards, or the French.

The reality is much more complex. Not only does it stigmatise an entire nation, but it also halts travel when many people who test negative on departure and arrival could safely travel without exporting the virus.

The WTTC says that this reality must be recognised and countries instead should redefine the risk to focus on ‘high-risk’ individuals. It believes implementing a comprehensive testing regime and corresponding use of technology is the only practical way to restore international travel securely. It suggests a comprehensive testing programme will be less expensive than the economic cost brought on by blanket quarantines and lockdowns.

This refocus would avoid exporting the virus and enable the free movement of travellers, while still observing enhanced hygiene protocols.

There is a crucial balance to be struck between the priority on public health with the need to sustain economic activity. As well as ensuring people are safe and healthy, there is a need to secure the health of the global economy. Many governments are far from convinced that a focus on high-risk individuals is practical.