Coronavirus

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

By
OB Bureau

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.

 

OB Bureau

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