China has blocked a World Health Organisation (WHO) team inspecting COVID-19’s origins, from entering the country. It has alleged that their visas remain unapproved, although some members of the team were already on their way and learned later on that they had not been granted entry.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s Director General said, “I’m very disappointed with this news, given that two members have already begun their journeys, and others were not able to travel at the last minute.”
“But I have been in contact with senior Chinese officials. And I have once again made made it clear that the mission is a priority for WHO and the international team,” he added.
The WHO’s expert team had been aiming to gain entry into China since November, 2020, in an attempt to study the origins of the pandemic. The team had then been reassured by China that it would be supported in this venture. Tedros had ever since been “eager to get the mission underway as soon as possible.”
