ICAO and WCO issue joint call on vaccine supply chain priorities

ICAO and the World Customs Organization (WCO) published (22-Feb-2021) a joint statement calling on governments to demonstrate maximum flexibility with respect to border clearance and air transport supply chain operations essential to the effective distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and related medical supplies. The joint statement on vaccines urges the rapid establishment of the infrastructure needed to support end-to-end vaccine storage and logistics for public supplies. Improved open collaboration between the aviation and customs communities and partnering organisations is also strongly emphasised. ICAO and the WCO are also encouraging countries to designate required aviation staff as 'key workers' providing an essential service, in alignment with the WHO's 'Roadmap for Prioritizing Uses of COVID-19 Vaccines'. [more - original PR]