Professor Gerard Flaherty from NUIG has been appointed to head up an Covid-19 task force to provide public health guidance on resuming international travel.
The International Society of Travel Medicine has appointed Prof O’Flaherty to lead the taskforce examining how they should respond to the Covid-19 pandemic an its restrictions.
Its work will include evaluating research evidence and providing technical advice to international agencies on the safe resumption of international travel.
This advice and guidance will be based on public health guidance from multiple countries, and comprehensive travel health risk assessments
Speaking on this voluntary role, Prof. Flaherty said “I am proud to represent NUI Galway in my various contributions to the leading professional society devoted to travel medicine education and research.
“The safe facilitation of international travel will be at the core of our new task force’s efforts.”
The Coronavirus pandemic has seen countries around the world ground air travel and impose
Tourism and travel have also been affected by internal lockdowns around the world, with many countries’ populations currently under shelter in place orders.
Ireland will begin the slow process of coming out of its lockdown tomorrow. But people are still being told to stay home as much as possible.
The European Commission recently published guidance and recommendations for its member states aimed at gradually lifting travel restrictions, and helping to get tourism going again in 2020.
The ISTM is an international society of physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and other medical professionals who promote travel health initiatives.
Founded in 1991, the Society has a network of more than 4,000 members in over 100 countries.
This helps to foster research, facilitate the rapid exchange of information, and provide educational programming to serve the travel medicine community.
The organisation promotes the development and evaluation of safe, effective, preventive and curative interventions for patients prior to travel, during travel and post travel.
Dean of NUIG’s College of Medicine Prof Timothy O’Brien said, “The appointment of Professor Flaherty as the International Society of Travel Medicine COVID 19 Task Force lead is an excellent choice.
“Professor Flaherty, as a clinical expert with extensive experience, will be a dedicated advocate for safe and healthy travel as the world emerges from lockdown.”
