Requiring travelers from China to be tested for COVID-19 by a growing number of countries is an “impulsive” and “ineffective” response, the head of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said in a statement.

“Many countries are introducing COVID-19 testing and other measures for travelers from China when the virus is already circulating widely within their borders. This impulsive re-implementation of measures that have proven ineffective over the past three years is extremely disappointing,” said IATA CEO Willie Walsh.

On Tuesday, Beijing called “unacceptable” the introduction of these measures by 12 countries, including the US, Australia, Italy and France, saying they “lack a scientific basis.”

A view shared by the organization, which claims to represent 300 companies that collectively account for 83% of global air travel: studies have shown, according to IATA, that “creating travel barriers doesn’t change anything at the peak of adoption.” infections. Most likely, the restrictions will delay this peak by a few days.”

Three years into the pandemic, the aviation industry has, according to IATA, “the necessary tools” to fight the virus “without resorting to ineffective measures that restrict international travel, hurt the economy and destroy jobs.”

In 2022, global air travel was expected to reach 70.6% of 2019 levels, but in the Asia-Pacific region it stalled at 44.3%, mainly due to China’s infection prevention policy, which was finally lifted on December 7 . According to IATA in early December.

Source: APE-MPE, AFP.