The Global Business Travel Association called on governments to rethink the use of quarantines for international travel in a statement released Thursday.
GBTA's statement comes in the wake of announcements from Western governments to broaden or impose new quarantine requirements. President Joe Biden has indicated the U.S. would require quarantine upon arrival for all inbound international travelers. The U.K. government recently announced that it will require all arrivals from 30 countries to quarantine in a government-provided hotel.
GBTA questioned the effectiveness of quarantine as a measure to reduce the spread of Covid-19. "The move towards quarantines despite multiple studies that question their effectiveness is a real problem. The science suggests that quarantines rank far down the list of effective Covid-19 mitigation measures," said GBTA interim executive director Dave Hilfman in the statement.
Hilfman called on governments to embrace a more "balanced" and "science-based" approach to tackling the pandemic. "These measures, put in place to mitigate risk, protect travelers and prevent the spread of Covid-19 and its variants, should continue to be science-based and to strike the appropriate balance between public health and protecting the global economy," he said.
GBTA recommends pre-departure testing as an alternative approach to quarantines that won't impede the business travel industry's recovery. "Pre-departure testing can help ensure the safety of travelers and residents, while allowing essential international travel to take place without compromising public health," Hilfman said. "At a time when the business travel industry continues to fight for its existence, a comprehensive approach that does not embrace quarantines can help stop the pandemic and stop the further proliferation of job losses and financial ruin."