The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday recommended lifting or relaxation of international travel bans, citing their ineffectiveness in controlling the spread of the new Omicron variant of coronavirus. The health body issued the statement after concluding an emergency meeting. It further appealed to countries to not mandate proof of COVID-19 vaccination as the only condition for the entry of travelers.

Several countries had imposed travel bans to and from Southern Africa when the Omicron strain emerged in November last year. However, the WHO has time and again voiced its disapproval of such travel bans, saying it may discourage countries from reporting emerging variants. It further said COVID-19 vaccination should not be made the only condition for travelers' entry due to inequitable distribution of vaccines.