The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has
called for an end to “wildly inconsistent” Covid-19 travel restrictions and
entry requirements, saying they are “stalling” the recovery of the air
transport industry.
“Travel restrictions bought governments time to respond in
the early days of the pandemic. Nearly two years later, that rationale no longer
exists,” said IATA director general Willie Walsh. “Covid-19 is present in all
parts of the world. Travel restrictions are a complex and confusing web of
rules with very little consistency among them. And there is little evidence to
support ongoing border restrictions and the economic havoc they create.”
According to IATA, test results from passengers arriving in the UK show they are not adding risk to the country’s situation. Walsh said
42,000 of the 3 million arrivals between February and August this year tested
positive for Covid-19, while at the time daily case numbers within the country had
reached 35,000 with the local economy open.
IATA said it supports those markets that are making an
effort to re-open to international travel, such as the UK, US, Canada,
Singapore and Australia. It is encouraging all governments to consider the
following framework for re-opening their borders:
- Make vaccines widely available to their
populations as quickly as possible,
- Remove barriers for vaccinated travellers,
- Implement testing schemes for those who do not
have access to vaccines so they can avoid quarantine,
- Use antigen tests as the most cost-effective and
convenient options available, and
- Governments should pay for testing so it does not
become an economic barrier to travel.
Highlighting the inconsistency in entry requirements around
the world, IATA surveyed 50 states and found 38 have some form of Covid-19
travel restrictions in place. Twenty of those have exemptions for vaccinated
travellers, but the allowable exemptions are vastly different depending on the
state. Only four (Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria) recognise natural immunity
from a previous infection as equivalent to a vaccine, but there is no
consistency on what documentation is needed to prove prior infection.
In terms of testing, requirements remain confusing. Of the
46 states requiring pre-departure testing, 24 only accept PCR tests, 16
recognise antigen versions, 18 exempt vaccinated travellers from testing, 20
exempt those who have recovered from Covid-19, 33 exempt minors but with no
consistency on the age of traveller, and testing time windows vary broadly,
including specifications based on test type.
Walsh pleaded with governments to ensure whatever measures
they do take are only temporary and to implement defined review periods. He also
recommended the use of digital health credentials such as the IATA Travel Pass
or EU Digital Covid Certificate as a way to prevent “chaos” at airports as
travel re-opens.