GBTA: World Governments Should Standardize Travel Requirements, Expand Vaccination Programs and COVID-19 Testing, Rethink Quarantine Proposals for International Travelers
As the governments of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and the European Union broaden or impose quarantine periods for international travelers, the Global Business Travel Association issued the following statement on COVID-19-related travel policies around the world.
"The business travel industry and its millions of jobs globally continue to support all necessary and practical measures to make travel safe again," said Dave Hilfman, interim Executive Director of GBTA, which represents more than 9,000 members worldwide. "These measures, put in place to mitigate risk, protect travelers and prevent the spread of COVID-19 and its variants, should continue to be science-based and to strike the appropriate balance between public health and protecting the global economy."
"However, the move towards quarantines despite multiple studies that question their effectiveness is a real problem. The science suggests that quarantines rank far down the list of effective COVID-19 mitigation measures, " said Hilfman. "Pre-departure testing can help ensure the safety of travelers and residents, while allowing essential international travel to take place without compromising public health. At a time when the business travel industry continues to fight for its existence, a comprehensive approach that does not embrace quarantines can help stop the pandemic and stop the further proliferation of job losses and financial ruin."
About GBTA
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world's premiere business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area and serving stakeholders across six continents. GBTA and its 8,000+ members represent and advocate for the $1.48 trillion global travel business and meetings industry. GBTA and the GBTA Foundation deliver world-class education, events, research, advocacy and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. For more information visit gbta.org.
About the GBTA Foundation
The mission of the GBTA Foundation, the US 501c3 charitable arm of the Global Business Travel Association, is to help the global business travel industry create a positive impact and better future for people and the planet. The GBTA Foundation focuses on the strategy and execution of GBTA's global sustainability programs, supporting initiatives related to climate action; diversity, equity and inclusion; and other talent-related topics via education, research and advocacy. For more information visit gbtafoundation.org.
