The Coronavirus is No Reason to Halt Trade & Business Activities in China: WHO

WHO reiterated that it is not recommended to implement travel and trade restrictions and affirmed China’s efforts to deal with the epidemic. Speaking in Geneva on 3 February local time, the director-general of WHO reiterated that “there is no reason to take unnecessary measures to interfere with international travel and trade”.

United We Stand

The director-general affirmed China’s efforts in response to the epidemic and stressed that the only way to overcome the epidemic is through solidarity and cooperation among all countries. Dr. Tan Desai, director-general of WHO, said in a statement that the decision to announce the international public health emergency (PHEIC) was mainly due to the fact that there were also human to human transmission in areas outside China, and also because who was worried about the serious consequences of the virus spreading to countries with underdeveloped medical systems. Without China’s efforts, there would be more infections outside China.

Misinformation is the Bigger Problem

Dr. Tan Desai also said that, first of all, there is no reason to take unnecessary measures to interfere with international travel and trade. WHO calls on all countries to make reliable decisions and implement them on the basis of factual evidence; secondly, it is necessary to support countries with underdeveloped medical systems; thirdly, it is necessary to speed up the development of medical treatment and vaccines; fourthly, it is necessary to stop rumors and misinformation. Dr. Tan Desai also said that a new mechanism to deal with the outbreak needs to be established. The only way to overcome the outbreak is for all countries to work together.

Prevent Panic

It is evident that misinformation and exaggerated news-spreading does more harm than calm the situation down. The virus can be deadly; however, the Chinese government is taking necessary precautions to keep it under control. As per WHO, the epidemic is no reason to halt trading and business activities in China. As long as you’re taking precautions, you should be able to visit China on a business trip and carry out your work proceedings.

If you haven’t been to China before, or if you’re looking for tips on how to effectively carry out business trips in China during the epidemic, contact us here.

While you’re at it, you can also read 10 Things to Know Before Coming to China for Business.