The Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebryesus, has responded positively to IRU’s recent emergency call on COVID vaccinations for drivers.
IRU is calling on the WHO and national governments to introduce urgently a global mutually recognised digital vaccination certificate for commercial truck and coach drivers.
Dr Tedros stated that the WHO has now classified road transport workers as essential. In addition he invited IRU to contribute to their multidisciplinary group’s work on digital vaccination certificates to ensure that they are consistent, interoperable and aligned.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have called for better global coordination on COVID-19 measures to prevent disruption to road and multimodal transport networks,” said IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto.
“Following support from UN Secretary General Guterres earlier this year, I am very pleased that the WHO has also heeded our call.”
Dr Tedros expressed his deep appreciation for the work of the road transport industry and its drivers in ensuring continuous transportation throughout the pandemic, especially for medicine, medical equipment and humanitarian supplies.
He also reassured IRU of the WHO’s continued engagement in endeavours aimed at facilitating a safe return to operations.