CITY OF SAN FERNANDO The World Health Organization or WHO on January 30, 2023 declared that the Covid-19 pandemic continues to constitute a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

During the 14th meeting of the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee regarding the coronavirus 2019 disease pandemic on Friday, January 27, 2023, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, concurred with the advice offered by the Committee regarding the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and determined that "the event continues to constitute a PHEIC, and that it is probably at a transition point."

In the report posted in the WHO official website, Ghebreyesus was noted as having appreciated the advice of the Committee "to navigate this transition carefully and mitigate the potential negative consequences."

The WHO Director-General also considered the advice provided by the Committee regarding the proposed temporary recommendations to state parties, primary of which is wearing of face masks in identified areas, maintaining the momentum for Covid-19 vaccination to achieve 100 percent coverage of high-priority groups, adjusting any remaining international travel-related measures, based on risk assessment, and to not require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 as a prerequisite for international travel, among others.