Dr. Tedros reiterates 6 criteria for easing ‘so-called’ restrictions

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reiterated on Wednesday the six criteria that WHO recommends countries consider before lifting lockdown. He called the coronavirus lockdown restrictions “so-called.”

Dr. Tedros was making opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19.

The first criterion that the WHO director-general reiterated was controlled transmission, declining cases and strong surveillance.

“First, that surveillance is strong, cases are declining and transmission is controlled,” he said.

Health system capacities of a country that wants to lift restrictions must be able to handle incoming patients and suspected patients.

“Second, that health system capacities are in place to detect, isolate, test and treat every case and trace every contact,” said Dr. Tedros.

Outbreak risks must be minimized in special settings.

“Third, that outbreak risks are minimized in special settings like health facilities and nursing homes.”

The WHO chief stated that preventive measures must be taken in all essential places.

“Fourth, that preventive measures are in place in workplaces, schools and other places where it’s essential for people to go,” he said.

The fifth criterion is importation risk management, said Dr. Tedros.

“Fifth, that importation risks can be managed.”

The top WHO official said the sixth and the final criterion should be “that communities are fully educated, engaged and empowered to adjust to the ‘new norm’.”

Dr. Tedros made it clear that if the transition is not managed very cautiously, we will be returning back to lockdown.

“The risk of returning to lockdown remains very real if countries do not manage the transition extremely carefully, and in a phased approach,” he said.

The director-general stressed that the ongoing pandemic presents an opportunity to be prepared for the next one.

“As we work on responding to this pandemic, we must also work harder to prepare for the next one,” said Dr. Tedros. “Now is an opportunity to lay the foundations for resilient health systems around the world, which has been ignored for too long.”

Read the full opening remarks by Dr. Tedros, here.

Image credit - ITU Pictures (CC BY 2.0)