Transport bodies warn governments over ‘knee-jerk’ reaction to Omicron variant

A number of transport organisations including the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have warned that ‘knee-jerk’ reactions from governments to the Omicron variant are putting the global supply chain at risk of collapse.

Cross-border transport workers including seafarers, air crew and drivers must be able to continue to do their jobs, and cross borders without overly restrictive travel rules, to keep already ailing supply chains moving, they said.

Collectively, the transport bodies, which also include the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Road Transport Union (IRU), called for governments to not reimpose border restrictions that further limit the freedom of movement of international transport workers.