WHO release guidance on coronavirus lockdown restrictions
After several weeks of social and economic restrictions, many countries are considering their strategies on when and how these limitations should be lifted.
For the billions of people across the world living in some form of lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has released new guidance for decision makers.
The WHO’s updated COVID-19 strategy, published on Tuesday 14 April, details six key criteria for countries to assess when considering a reduction in their nationwide restrictions.
Decisions must be based “first and foremost on protecting human health”, stressed WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a briefing to over 700 United Nations and WHO representatives on Thursday (17 April).
The Director General discussed the process of lockdown lifting: "this is something we all want, but it must be done very carefully. If it is done too quickly, we run the risk of a resurgence that could be even worse than our current situation."
It is vital that countries remain updated on the latest evidence released about coronavirus as information changes daily. The WHO will continue to adjust its strategy in alignment with any of these changes.
Six consideration points regarding coronavirus restrictions
In order to consider reducing restrictions, countries should address the follow six points:
1. Measures to ensure virus transmission is controlled.
2. Health system capacities are in place to detect, test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact.
3. Outbreak risks are minimised in special settings, such as health care facilities and nursing homes.
4. Preventive measures are put into action in workplaces, schools and other spaces where it is essential for people to go.
5. Ensure that importation risks can be managed.
6. Make preparations to ensure that communities are fully educated, engaged and empowered to adjust to the “new norm”.
Dr Ghebreyesus also took the opportunity to reiterate that all sectors affected by COVID-19, including food markets, need to ensure that they comply with high regulatory systems and high standards of cleanliness, hygiene and safety before they are back in business.
Other research
A recent report from Harvard University researchers estimates that measures of social distancing should be extended until 2022 in a bid to effectively stop the spread of COVID-19 and the saturation of health centres.
The article published in the journal Science stated: "To mitigate the possibility of re-emergence of the infection, prolonged or intermittent periods of social distancing may be required. After the initial pandemic wave, SARS-CoV-2 could follow its closest genetic relative, SARS-CoV-1, and be eradicated by intensive public health measures after causing a brief but intense epidemic. Though increasingly, public health officials believe this scenario is unlikely."
