Covid: The WHO judges that the outbreak of the virus in China will not have a “significant impact” in Europe

The outbreak of Covid-19 cases in China should not have a “significant” impact in Europe because the variants that circulate there are already present in the Old Continent, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.

“The current surge in China is not expected to have a significant impact on the epidemiological situation of Covid-19 in the European region,” WHO regional director Hans Kluge told an online news conference. He called on countries in his area to take only “proportionate and non-discriminatory” measures against travelers from China.

Measures against China must be “scientifically justified”

Several countries, including the United States, Japan, France and Germany, have introduced the requirement of a negative test for travelers from China. Some also advised against unnecessary travel to that country. The European Union strongly encouraged its member states last week to impose checks carried out in China before the flight and encouraged the Twenty-seven to complete the negative test with “random tests” upon arrival on European soil.

“It is not unreasonable for countries to take precautionary measures to protect their populations, while we await more detailed information” from China, but “these measures must be scientifically justified,” Hans Kluge said.

“In a very good position”

According to the WHO, the 53 countries in the region that extends to Central Asia, thanks in particular to the high vaccination rate, are well equipped to deal with Covid.

“At the beginning of 2023, the region (…) is really in a very good position, we have strong protection of the population, thanks in part to the waves of natural infection that have occurred, but above all thanks to excellent adherence to vaccination,” said Catherine Smallwood, WHO Europe Emergency Manager. However, it is important to maintain a high level of vigilance, according to the UN organization.

“After three long years of the pandemic, with many countries struggling with overstretched healthcare systems, shortages of essential medicines and an exhausted healthcare workforce, we cannot afford to put more pressure on our healthcare systems,” insisted Hans Kluge.

“Such a threat could come from a worrisome new variant, anywhere and anytime, including right here in Europe and Central Asia. Based on lessons learned, we need to be able to anticipate, detect and react in time,” he said.