Europe approaches end of COVID-19 ‘emergency phase’ says WHO

The signal from the WHO that the COVID-19 endgame may be in sight in Europe is encouraging news for the travel sector (Heathrow Airport pictured)

EUROPE. The ‘emergency phase’ of the COVID-19 pandemic could be set to end in 2022, according to a statement by World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe Dr. Hans Kluge. His cautious but upbeat message comes as a source of encouragement for travel and travel-related sectors, which continue to be hit hard by lockdowns and restrictions on movement.

Dr. Hans Kluge: Population-wide lockdowns unlikely to be required even if further variants appear

Kluge said that as the second anniversary of the pandemic occurs in Europe and Asia, a new phase has begun, driven by the Omicron variant. He noted that although Omicron is more transmissible than other variants, it has led to “much less severe disease” and hospitalisations than the Delta produced variant.

Crucially, he added that “if and when a new variant appears, a new wave could no longer require the return to pandemic-era, population-wide lockdowns or similar measures”.

Omicron continues to spread quickly, from west to east, within Europe, he added. In several of the countries furthest west, including the UK and Ireland, restrictions on people’s daily lives have now mostly been lifted [in Ireland since Saturday morning -Ed]. Omicron now accounts for 31.8% of cases across the European region, up from 15% the previous week, and 6.3% the week before.

Kluge noted that although the pandemic is “far from over”, it is time to address other health threats and relaunch health services that had been put on hold.

In the US, Chief Medical Adviser Anthony Fauci said at the weekend that most states would reach and pass the Omicron peak, soon, and hopefully by mid-February.

He told broadcaster ABC that the patterns of disease in South Africa, Israel and UK, as well as some US states, suggested the peak would be followed by a sharp decline in cases.

“If the pattern follows the trend that we’re seeing in other places … I believe that you will start to see a turnaround throughout the entire country,” he told ABC.

Food & Beverage The Magazine eZine