Central Idea: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared an end to the global emergency status for COVID-19. It had in 2020 declared the disease as Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

Practical effects of WHO declaration

• The classification of COVID-19 as a global emergency is meant to warn political authorities of an extraordinary event that could constitute a health threat to other countries and requires a coordinated response to contain it.
• For the average person, the decision to end the global emergency classification will have no practical effect.
• WHO’s emergency declarations are typically used as an international SOS for countries who need help or to spur countries to introduce special measures to combat disease or release extra funds.

What is PHEIC?

Definition: Under the International Health Regulations (IHR), a public health emergency is defined as “an extraordinary event which is determined, as provided in these Regulations: to constitute a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease; and to potentially require a coordinated international response”.

Emergencies declared so far

• WHO has previously declared global emergencies for outbreaks of swine flu, Zika, Ebola, polio, and monkeypox.
• Polio was declared nearly nine years ago, and its emergency status has persisted even as officials work to wipe out the disease from a shrinking number of countries.
• MPOX was declared a global emergency last July but technically remains a global emergency.

What criteria does the WHO follow to declare PHEIC?

• PHEIC is declared in the event of some “serious public health events” that may endanger international public health.
• The responsibility of declaring an event as an emergency lies with the Director-General of the WHO and requires the convening of a committee of members.

Implications of a PHEIC being declared

• There are some implications of declaring a PHEIC for the host country, which in the case of the coronavirus is China.
• Declaring a PHEIC may lead to restrictions on travel and trade.
• However, several countries have already issued advisories to their citizens to avoid travelling to China, while others are airlifting their citizens from it.

Is COVID-19 still a pandemic?

• Yes, COVID-19 is still a pandemic, as the virus is here to stay and thousands of people continue to die every week.
• WHO chief Tedros warned that the risk remains of new variants emerging that cause new surges in cases and deaths.
• Countries need to transition from emergency mode to managing COVID-19 alongside other infectious diseases.

When will the COVID-19 pandemic end?

• It is unclear when the COVID-19 pandemic will end, as the virus is still a public health threat and its continued evolution could cause future problems.
• Pandemics only truly end when the next pandemic begins.
• COVID-19 will continue to spread among people for a very long time but at a much lower level of threat that does not require extraordinary measures taken to try to curb the virus’ spread.

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your personal mentor for UPSC 2024 | Schedule your FREE session and get the Prelims prep Toolkit!

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now