EU health agency urges end to quarantines and border restrictions as travel poses 'minimal' risk

European health authorities have urged EU governments to end mandatory testing and quarantine for air travellers, stating that such measures are ‘unlikely’ to halt the spread of Covid-19 in communities where the virus is already established. The document, published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), calls for the cessation of air travel restrictions, and affirms that travellers pose little risk in destinations where the virus has already taken hold. It states: “Entry screening, quarantine and border closures for incoming travellers are unlikely to prevent the introduction of SARS-CoV-2 into a community, although they might delay it for a short period of time. The vast majority of cases [are] locally acquired... In most countries, once the virus has been introduced into the community, imported cases are likely to contribute little to the ongoing spread of [infection].” Testing of air travellers is also “not recommended” by the guidelines, especially where health resources are scarce. Such measures “may detract public health resources and laboratory capacity from essential public health activities”, it warns. <br/>