Omicron Sub-Variant XBB.1.5: VWHO Urges Travellers To Wear Masks On Long Flights

New Delhi: The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday urged countries to recommend all those travelling by air to wear masks in view of the rapid spread of the new Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.5 in several nations across the world, especially the United States. WHO’s senior emergency officer for Europe – Catherine Smallwood during a briefing said: “Passengers should be advised to wear masks in high-risk settings such as long-haul flights,” reported Reuters.

According to the WHO official, wearing masks should be a “recommendation issued to passengers arriving from anywhere where there is widespread Covid-19 transmission.”

“Countries need to look at the evidence base for pre-departure testing and if action is considered, travel measures should be implemented in a non-discriminatory manner,” Smallwood added.

The latest highly transmissible Omicron variant – XBB.1.5 – has accounted for 27.6 per cent of COVID-19 in the United States so far till Sunday, reported Reuters citing health officials. The subvariant has been detected in Europe as well in small but growing numbers, according to WHO officials.