Christian Lindmeier, a spokesperson of the World Health Organization (WHO), stated on Friday that the organization recommended that countries continue to apply a risk-based and scientific approach when imposing travel curbs in response to news about the new B.1.1.529 variant of COVID-19, which was first identified in South Africa. "At this point, implementing travel measures is being cautioned against," he added.
The spokesman also said that WHO would share further guidance for governments on the actions they could take after the meeting later today. He also noted that it might take a few weeks to assess the impacts of this virus strain.