Pandemics, border controls and international travel

Why is there so much variation in the way countries are approaching points of entry controls?

Members event Recording
26 February 2021 — 4:00PM TO 5:00PM
Online

Pandemics, Border Controls and International Travel

— Professor David Heymann and Emma Ross are joined by Professor Kelley Lee to assess the effectiveness and impacts of border control measures and travel restrictions.

Last month, global coronavirus cases surpassed 100 million according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. As governments contend with increasing threats from new variants and lockdown fatigue among their populations, many are turning to border controls as a means of controlling the virus.

Professor David Heymann and Emma Ross are joined by Professor Kelley Lee and Alexandre de Juniac to assess the effectiveness and impacts of border control measures and travel restrictions. How are various countries approaching the issue of border control and international travel? Why is there so much variation in the way countries are approaching points of entry controls? What is the evidence on how border controls affect the spread of COVID-19? Is it possible to travel internationally in a COVID-secure way, and if so, how? And when might international travel return to some kind of ‘normal’?

Professor Kelley Lee‘s research focuses on the impacts of globalization on population health and the ways collective action and global governance can mitigate these impacts. Her current research, leading the Pandemics and Borders Project, focuses on the use of cross-border measures during the COVID-19 pandemic and the implications for global responses governed by the WHO International Health Regulations.

Alexandre de Juniac has almost three decades of experience in both the private and public sectors. This includes senior positions in the airline and aerospace industries and the French government.

Professor Heymann is a world-leading authority on infectious disease outbreaks. He led the World Health Organization’s response to SARS and has been advising the organization on its response to the coronavirus.

This event is open to members of Chatham House and members of the public. Existing members may register via their members’ portal as per usual. Members of the public may register using the following form.

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