Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday that because the novel coronavirus COVID-19 spreads rapidly and recedes slowly, the lifting of restrictions imposed due the pandemic too soon should be avoided.
Ghebreyesus, at a press conference held by the WHO, said that decisions to impose or remove any general restrictions must above all have the priority of protecting people’s lives and keeping coronavirus infection rates down.
Ghebreyesus also stressed that the lifting of any preventive measures should be carried out slowly.
He stated that on Tuesday the WHO will issue recommendations for countries considering lifting restrictions, including six additional important criteria.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
