Reopening up without Covid-19 being under control a 'recipe for disaster': WHO

Rozana Spokesman

News, World

The head of the World Health Organisation Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that opening up societies too quickly without the virus

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

The head of the World Health Organisation Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that opening up societies too quickly without the virus being under control would be a ‘recipe for disaster’.

He said that countries with significant active spread of the virus should prevent amplifying events.

“No country can just pretend the pandemic is over,” he said. “The reality is this virus spreads easily. Opening up without control is a recipe for disaster,” he added.

“Decisions about how and when to allow gatherings of people must be taken with a risk-based approach, in the local context,” Ghebreyesus said.

WHO said it supported societies and economies efforts to reopen. But Ghebreyesus said that it had to be done safely, warning that explosive outbreaks have been linked to gatherings at places like stadiums, nightclubs, places of worship.

He further added that local context should be taken into consideration while taking decisions about when and how to allow gatherings.