European airports and airlines urge to lift ineffective restrictions

Created on 29.12.2021 10:09

ACI EUROPE (Airports Council International Europe) has warned that the recent spread of travel restrictions jeopardize the European COVID-19 Digital Certificates, thereby undermining their principle. “Compliance with testing and quarantine requirements for vaccinated travelers will only cause further deterioration and instability of those who work in the tourism industry. Ineffective actions, contrary to the expert recommendations, place additional burdens on citizens”, the message says.

A number of countries, including France, Greece, Italy and the United Kingdom have already reintroduced travel restrictions for vaccinated travelers. The new sanctions are attributed to the increased public health risks associated with the spread of Omicron. Airports and airlines, in response, urge their governments to follow the latest ECDC recommendations and undo the latest restrictions owing to their inefficiency.

However, since the new strain has already spread across Europe and the infection is mostly transmitted within communities, ECDC concedes that travel restrictions could be lifted. Governments should now focus on strengthening other interventions, aimed at limiting a local transmission: avoiding major public events, using face masks, expanding testing and vaccination coverage.

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