WHO's 6 criteria to evaluate before lifting anti-Covid-19 restrictions

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that lifting measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 too soon could lead to a “deadly resurgence” of the virus, as some countries ease economic and social restrictions while the outbreak continues.

At a press conference in Geneva yesterday (April 13), WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that a new strategy will be published to summarize what the world knows about this new virus.

“Decisions must be based on the priority of protecting human health, guided by what we know about this virus and how it behaves,” said Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The new strategy will include six criteria for countries considering lifting restrictions. First, control the spread of the disease. Second, ensure that health systems have the capacity to detect, test, isolate, treat cases and trace contacts. Third, ensure that the risk of community outbreaks, especially in health facilities and nursing homes, is controlled. Fourth, effective implementation of preventive measures in workplaces, schools and other places where people need to go is implemented. Fifth, manage the risk of new cases from people entering from abroad. Sixth, communities must be fully educated, engaged and empowered to comply with the new norms.

“Every country should implement a comprehensive set of measures to slow transmission and protect lives, with the aim of achieving a steady state of low or no transmission,” said Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

As some countries plan to lift stay-at-home orders, the head of the WHO warned that “lifting restrictions too soon could lead to a deadly resurgence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.”

“The downward trend can be as dangerous as the upward trend if not managed properly,” said Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stressing that WHO is working with affected countries to develop strategies for easing restrictions gradually and safely.

The number of cases has dropped significantly in some of the worst-hit countries in Europe, such as Spain, Italy, Germany and France. Yesterday (April 13), workers in some non-essential sectors in Spain, mainly industry and construction, returned to work despite experts warning of the risk of a new wave of Covid-19 cases./.