GBTA: World Governments Should Standardize Travel Requirements, Expand Vaccination Programs and COVID-19 Testing, Rethink Quarantine Proposals for International Travelers

Alexandria, VA (January 28, 2021) – As the governments of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and the European Union broaden or impose quarantine periods for international travelers, the Global Business Travel Association issued the following statement on COVID-19-related travel policies around the world.

“The business travel industry and its millions of jobs globally continue to support all necessary and practical measures to make travel safe again,” said Dave Hilfman, interim Executive Director of GBTA, which represents more than 9,000 members worldwide. “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.”

“However, 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 Hilfman. “Pre-departure testing can help ensure the safety of travelers and residents, while allowing essential international travel to take place without compromising public health. 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.”

CONTACT:           

David Leibowitz (NORAM), 602-317-1414, david@leibowitzsolo.com

Nikki Stimson (EMEA), +44(0) 7764 618199, nstimson@gbta.org 

About the Global Business Travel Association

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world’s premier business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area with operations on six continents. GBTA’s 9,000-plus members manage more than $345 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA and the GBTA Foundation deliver world-class education, events, research, advocacy and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. To learn how business travel drives lasting business growth, visit www.gbta.org.