World Health Organization Secretary General Tedros Adhanom Gebre Jesus reiterated today that there is no need to ban travel and trade to curb the new coronavirus.

According to Reuters, General Secretary Gebre Jesus told the WHO Executive Board at Geneva's headquarters in Switzerland today: "All countries call for a consistent, evidence-based decision."

The outbreak of viruses outside of China is "very small and slow," he warned. "Because of this strategy, the number of confirmed patients outside of China will be much higher."

A week ago, when he met with Xi Jinping in Beijing, he coughed during the speech and said, "Don't worry, this is not a new coronavirus."

He says social media such as Twitter, Facebook, Tencent and Titok are taking steps to block "fake information" related to the new coronavirus.

The remarks by Secretary General Gebre Jesusus are on the same line as the WHO announced a public health emergency for the new coronavirus last month but does not recommend restrictions on travel and trade to China.

At the time, he said, "WHO will continue to trust in China's ability to control infectious diseases." There is no reason to unnecessarily hinder international travel and trade. "

Unlike WHO's hope, however, countries around the world, such as the United States and Japan, lock their doors to travelers from China.

The United States has tentatively banned entry into the United States for foreign nationals who have been to China for the last two weeks from 5:00 pm on the 2nd.

Japan has also refused entry for all foreigners who have stayed in Hubei Province, China, where Wuhan, the epicenter of the new coronavirus, originated for two weeks.

In addition, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Guatemala have announced restrictions on the entry of travelers from China, while Vietnam, Italy and Russia have canceled most flights to and from China.

China's delegation voiced criticism at the WHO executive board.

"These actions are seriously contrary to the WHO's recommendations," said Mr. Lisson, disarmament ambassador to the Chinese delegation.

Originally, the executive board was supposed to be attended by another representative from China, but Ambassador Li attended when the flight from Beijing was canceled.

He also shared all information about the new coronavirus with the Taiwanese authorities and insisted that the two sides communicate "smoothly."

Taiwanese experts said they visited the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control in Wuhan and Hubei Provinces, China, in mid-March, "to provide further answers to their concerns."

Taiwan has been unable to join UN agencies such as the World Health Organization.

In response, the US representative stressed the need to focus on new coronaviruses in more than 20 countries.

Andrew Bremberg said, "We are learning more about the virus every day, and we are taking appropriate public health measures in line with WHO's recommendations to minimize the spread based on available information."

"We are working with all our partners to deal with the outbreak," he added.

Meanwhile, according to the WHO, as of the morning, the number of confirmed patients in China was 17,000, including 361, and 151, including one in 23 countries outside of China.

(Photo = Getty Images Korea)