The International Health Regulations (2005) provide mechanisms for countries to implement additional measures. However, countries that measures that significantly interfere with international traffic (such as refusing international travellers’ entry or exit for more than 24 hours) must provide the World Health Organization with the public health rationale and scientific information for their actions under the International Health Regulations (2005). The World Health Organization will follow up such matters and has obligations to share such information with all member states. Potential benefits Limitations/consequences Action points (Actions required to prepare for implementing a measure, based on planning, readiness and debriefs from responses or exercises, etc) International travel restrictions aim to reduce travel to and from affected countries or areas – and prevent or delay disease introduction to a non-affected country Potentially reduces the Limited effect on stopping the spread Develop triggers, standard number of ill individuals of the virus internationally operating procedures and travelling templates to ensure appropriate Interferes with international travel and information is available in a May prevent or delay timely manner for key virus introduction Potential political and economic considering travel May prevent or delay impacts restrictions public health risk if travel Disrupts normal social functioning Prepare statutory notices and restrictions are applied Need to clearly justify rationale directions, including a pandemic quickly enough and are notice Need to cover off human rights in place for long enough issues Prepare to requisition quarantine facilities Can be difficult to define ‘affected’ Liaise with suppliers of essential and services to determine Travellers may try to circumvent any the impacts of border closures restrictions Travel restrictions and quarantining travellers at international borders did not substantially delay disease introduction in past pandemics, except at some small island countries Travel restrictions are likely to impose significant economic costs on affected countries and may affect the provision of essential goods and medical services, etc Aircraft past the of no return would need to be able to land and then the travellers and crew quarantined/isolated Hinders efforts to assist affected countries (eg, prevents health care workers assisting with the response in affected countries) Diversion of an individual conveyance (eg, if an aircraft has a novel infection on board or is contaminated) aim to delay or prevent introduction of public health threat and ensure the – most appropriate location to provide a public health response
The International Health Regulations (2005) provide mechanisms for countries to implement additional measures. However, countries that measures that significantly interfere with international traffic (such as refusing international travellers’ entry or exit for more than 24 hours) must provide the World Health Organization with the public health rationale and scientific information for their actions under the International Health Regulations (2005). The World Health Organization will follow up such matters and has obligations to share such information with all member states. Potential benefits Limitations/consequences Action points (Actions required to prepare for implementing a measure, based on planning, readiness and debriefs from responses or exercises, etc) International travel restrictions – aim to reduce travel to and from affected countries or areas and prevent or delay disease introduction to a non-affected country Potentially reduces the number of ill individuals travelling May prevent or delay virus introduction May prevent or delay public health risk if travel restrictions are applied quickly enough and are in place for long enough Limited effect on stopping the spread of the virus internationally Interferes with international travel and Potential political and economic impacts Disrupts normal social functioning Need to clearly justify rationale Need to cover off human rights issues Can be difficult to define ‘affected’ Travellers may try to circumvent any restrictions Travel restrictions and quarantining travellers at international borders did not substantially delay disease introduction in past pandemics, except at some small island countries Travel restrictions are likely to impose significant economic costs on affected countries and may affect the provision of essential goods and medical services, etc Aircraft past the of no return would need to be able to land and then the travellers and crew quarantined/isolated Hinders efforts to assist affected countries (eg, prevents health care workers assisting with the response in affected countries) Develop triggers, standard operating procedures and templates to ensure appropriate information is available in a timely manner for key considering travel restrictions Prepare statutory notices and directions, including a pandemic notice Prepare to requisition quarantine facilities Liaise with suppliers of essential and services to determine the impacts of border closures Diversion of an individual conveyance (eg, if an aircraft has a novel infection on board or is contaminated) – aim to delay or prevent introduction of public health threat and ensure the most appropriate location to provide a public health response
responding-public-health-threats-international-concern-nz-air-sea-ports-aug16.docx