The coronavirus pandemic is still stopping tourism in much of the globe, and many tourist destinations have not yet returned to work, and the World Health Organization (WHO) is already calling for preparations for a “new virus that cannot be spread.” With this statement, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adan Gebreyesus “intimidated” at a meeting of finance and health ministers of the G20 in Rome.
“Even if we end this pandemic, we must learn the lessons it teaches us and prepare for the next one. It is indisputable from the point of view of biology that at some point another virus will appear, which we simply will not be able to contain, ”he said.
What the WHO is proposing in this regard, according to Mr Gebreesus, “high-level threats” will also require “high-level political participation”. The head of the WHO called on the G20 to support the conclusion of a “legally binding international agreement on preparing for and responding to pandemics.” The decision is due to be adopted at a special session of the World Health Assembly scheduled for November.
The head of the WHO also pointed out that many countries – including tourism – currently have minimal access to vaccines. “Currently, 36% of the world’s population is fully vaccinated against coronavirus, but in Africa this figure is only 6%,” he said.