NZ virus case may mean ban on Pacific flights, government told
Quoting Radio New Zealand – 28 January 2020
“Health experts are urging the government to take steps to prevent the 'export' of infectious diseases to the Pacific, including considering halting all air travel to the region if the Wuhan coronavirus arrives in New Zealand.
“A major challenge for New Zealand is to ensure it does not export this coronavirus to Pacific Islands where it could be devastating," said Michael Baker, a professor of public health at the University of Otago,
"If this new coronavirus does become established in New Zealand we should work with Pacific nations to consider exit screening or even suspending air flights from New Zealand to give them more time to prepare for this epidemic."
“Samoa has stopped direct flights from China to reduce the risk of introducing the coronavirus”.
Copyright @ 2020. Radio New Zealand
