WHO calls for return of masks in one setting as alarm raised over rising Covid cases

The World Health Organisation has said it supports plans to introduce mask rules on long-haul flights going forward as the number of winter illnesses continues to spike.

Officials say that countries should consider the recommendation as a way to curb the spread of the latest Covid variant which has been detected in several countries already.

XBB.1.5, better known as Kraken, is a subvariant currently on the rise in Europe as WHO officials confirmed they are monitoring its growth.

READ MORE: Irish parents have limited time left to avail of 'free nasal flu vaccine' for kids as cases surge

At this point, it is believed that Kraken is the most transmissible Omicron subvariant that has been detected so far.

Speaking on Tuesday, the WHO's senior emergency officer for Europe, Dr. Catherine Smallwood said plane passengers should be advised to wear masks when travelling to and from high-risk areas.

She said: "This should be a recommendation issued to passengers arriving from anywhere where there is widespread Covid-19 transmission".

While many health officials are keeping a close eye on the new strain, scientists say it is not yet clear if XBB.1.5 will bring on a new wave of infections across the globe.

Experts say that although there is concern they remain confident that current vaccines will protect against the most severe symptoms, hospitalisation, and death.

Dr. Smallwood added that: "Countries need to look at the evidence base for pre-departure testing".

However, she insisted that “travel measures should be implemented in a non-discriminatory manner".

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