Prognosis

WTO Postpones Geneva Ministerial Meeting Over Virus Concerns

  • Switzerland prohibits flights from southern Africa, Belgium
  • WHO says Covid-19 variant omicron is a virus of concern
The 'Four Races' statue stands outside the World Trade Organisation (WTO) headquarters in Geneva.Photographer: Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg
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The World Trade Organization postponed its in-person ministerial conference in Geneva as Switzerland tightened travel restrictions following the discovery of a new strain of the coronavirus.

WTO members took the decision at an emergency meeting held on Friday night to discuss possible alternative arrangements for their ministerial conference. The conference will be convened as soon as conditions allow, General Council Chair Dacio Castillo said in a statement.