Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

August 26, 2020

Strategies at Points of Entry to Reduce Importation Risk of COVID-19 Cases and Re-Open Travel

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  • An assessment of the risk of exportation of active SARS-CoV-2 cases from 153 countries with confirmed COVID-19 cases across six importation risk reduction strategies revealed that testing and isolation of those who test positive is the most effective strategy as long as good testing practices are in place. If testing is not feasible, the authors conclude that quarantining for a minimum of 14 days is recommended, with strict adherence measures in place. It was estimated that an average of 80% of infected travelers are infectious upon arrival. The authors estimate that a combination of testing and 7-day quarantining would prevent 88% of expected secondary cases. Quarantining for 7-days without testing would prevent 30% of expected secondary cases and quarantining for 14-day without testing would prevent 84% of secondary infections.

Dickens et al. (Aug 25, 2020). Strategies at Points of Entry to Reduce Importation Risk of COVID-19 Cases and Re-Open Travel. Journal of Travel Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1093/jtm/taaa141