Apr. 30, 2020

WHO reconvenes the emergency committee under the international health regulations regarding COvid19

As WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced at the virtual press conference on 29 April, he has reconvened the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (IHR) regarding the outbreak of COVID-19. This is the third meeting of the Committee.

At the previous meeting on 30 January, the Committee advised that the situation constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and provided temporary recommendations for WHO and country action. The Director-General accepted the advice and declared a PHEIC, WHO’s the highest level of alarm. At the time, there were under 100 cases and no deaths outside China.

For background information, please find the second statement of the Committee from 30 January 2020:

https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/30-01-2020-statement-on-the-second-meeting-of-the-international-health-regulations-(2005)-emergency-committee-regarding-the-outbreak-of-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)

Under IHR, the Committee must meet within 3 months of the previous meeting to review their recommendations. The Committee is gathering today via teleconference.

The Committee will deliberate today and provide its views to the Director-General on Friday. The Committee’s statement will be issued Friday 1 May during the regularly scheduled virtual press conference, planned for 17:00 CEST.