Does Closing Borders Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Variants? Experts Remain 'Skeptical'

Likely Already Spread Worldwide
"We Must Fight Variants Instead of Imposing Entry Restrictions"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] As countries around the world have successively restricted entry from the UK to prevent the spread of a new variant of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) originating in the UK, infectious disease experts are expressing skepticism, saying that border closures cannot stop the spread.

According to the New York Times (NYT) and others on the 22nd (local time), experts point out that it is unclear how far the COVID-19 variant has spread and that recent entry restrictions may already be too late. So far, more than 50 countries worldwide have reportedly restricted or banned entry from the UK following news of the UK COVID-19 variant.

Regarding this, Peter Kremsner, director of the University Hospital T?bingen in Germany, called it "stupid" and said, "If this variant is only on the island (UK), then it makes sense to close the borders between England, Scotland, and Wales, but if the variant has spread, then we must fight the new variant everywhere." He criticized the naive idea that the variant has not spread outside the UK given the limited scientific understanding of the variant and the unclear risks.

Experts believe that the UK has only confirmed the variant by strengthening epidemic surveillance, and the variant may already be spreading in other countries that have not yet detected it. French and German health authorities have stated that they believe the COVID-19 variant is already spreading, and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has confirmed some variant cases in Denmark, Iceland, the Netherlands, and other countries.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also stated on the same day, "Considering that only a very small number of U.S. infections have undergone analysis, the variant has not been detected but may already be in the U.S.," adding, "The variant is widely spreading among infected people in the UK, and considering travel between the UK and the U.S., the possibility of importation has increased." They also said they are monitoring the UK situation and making efforts to quickly detect any changes.

Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, said that member states will take measures such as entry restrictions regarding the variant, but at this point, "entry restrictions to prevent spread should be cautious until more information is obtained," and posted on Twitter, "If not everyone is safe, no one is safe." Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), also appeared on a broadcast the day before and said, "I don't think such strict responses are necessary," and added, "The need for testing people coming from the UK should be seriously considered."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.