Happy New Year and thank you for the invitation to speak to you today. I only wish it was in happier times and that I could be there to interact in person.
I certainly don’t need to tell you—the leaders of the global tourism sector—how difficult the COVID-19 situation is. But I do need to emphasize that this terrible situation is not improving. Even the weak recovery in passenger markets stalled in November. Over the year-end we saw many governments increase travel restrictions. It is good that more governments see a role for testing in this crisis. But it is completely frustrating that testing is coming on top of quarantine measures. A recovery needs testing to replace quarantine measures.
We will not be able to eliminate the risk of COVID-19 in any foreseeable timeline. So we must learn to manage the risk of COVID-19 so that we can safely resume more normal lives and activities—including travel.
For travel and tourism testing is the immediate solution to re-open borders….