Still some work to do for progressively re-opening Mideast countries: Walsh

Still some work to do for progressively re-opening Mideast countries: Walsh

Middle East countries have still some work to do although they are progressively re-opening, post-pandemic, said IATA director general Willie Walsh.

“Vaccination rates across the region are rising. As examples, Qatar has reached 77% and the UAE is at 88%. Vaccinations are the ultimate way out of this crisis. So, this is very important progress,” Walsh said at the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO) 54th AGM at the Sheraton Doha yesterday.

Walsh, however, said four challenges remained for the Middle East region.

“First, we need to have truly hassle-free travel for those who are vaccinated. You can travel to the Kingdom of Bahrain and in select cases to UAE simply by proving your vaccination status. But for other markets a PCR test is required.

“And the cost burden of testing is placed on the passenger, in contravention of the WHO’s International Health Regulations. Travellers to Kuwait can expect to pay $100 for the required PCR test, $60 if you are travelling to Oman.”

Second, he noted that there was a need for alignment on accepted vaccines with the WHO emergency use list of approved vaccines.

“Right now, it is a mish-mash. States, of course, can choose which vaccines to make available to their