NJ Health Expert Says Travel Bans Are ‘Ineffective’ Against Omicron

NEW JERSEY — As a new coronavirus variant begins to spread worldwide, federal officials in the United States have rolled out a renewed travel ban to several southern African countries. The goal? To slow the potential spread of omicron.

But according to a health expert from New Jersey, travel bans aren’t only ineffective – they’re “ridiculous.”

With the rise of omicron, the U.S. has again rolled out travel bans for foreign residents of eight countries near where the variant was first reported: Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

More than 50 countries have reportedly implemented travel measures to guard against omicron as of Nov. 28. Read More: Newark Airport, Others Will Test For Omicron COVID Variant

However, according to Richard Marlink, director of the Rutgers Global Health Institute, blanket travel bans are the exact opposite of “following the science.”

“The travel bans are harsh examples of the unethical and, quite frankly, ridiculous decisions that continue to undermine our global unity in battling this pandemic,” said Marlink, who is also a professor of medicine at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

He continued:

“Banning travel from southern African countries when the omicron variant is already spreading here shows a total lack of evidence-based decision-making. And these restrictions could have a chilling effect on global collaboration and scientific transparency when it comes to releasing public health information because national governments may not want to risk the potential economic and social consequences that could result from intrusive restrictions such as these travel bans. This is yet another misstep that's widening the health equity gap around the world. And the wider that gets, the worse off we all are.”

Marlink has boots-on-the-ground experience in one of the countries on the travel ban list, Botswana, where his team helped establish the national HIV reference laboratory with Harvard. There, scientists recently sequenced and first described the omicron variant, followed by their colleagues in Durban and elsewhere in South Africa.

Marlink has also done extensive work across Africa to help combat the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, according to the Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences.

Meanwhile, officials in New Jersey continue to make preparations for the potential spread of the omicron variant – including monitoring federal travel bans.

"As our region is a hub for international travel and commerce, we must be ready now," Gov. Phil Murphy said during a Monday news conference. "The department of health is prepared to quickly identify omicron through both PCR testing and virus sequencing and protocols."

Murphy said he is concerned about flights from South Africa, which is one of the countries covered by the latest travel ban put in place by President Joe Biden. However, he also cautioned residents not to get hysterical about the latest coronavirus variant.

"Are we taking this seriously? Are we sober about it? Are we going to look to make decisions based on the science and the data and the facts as they become known? Absolutely," Murphy said. "In the meantime, we strongly encourage folks to do the things that we know work."

• See related article: COVID Omicron Variant Prompts NJ Travel, Masking Changes

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