WHO warns premature lifting of lockdown measures to spark ‘deadly resurgence’

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday warned that a premature lifting of lockdown measures by countries fighting the coronavirus pandemic could spark a “deadly resurgence.”

While the organisation was working with countries on ways to gradually ease lockdowns, doing so too quickly could be highly dangerous, WHO’s Director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a virtual press conference in Geneva.

“I know that some countries are already planning the transition out of stay-at-home restrictions. WHO wants to see restrictions lifted as much as anyone,” Ghebreyesus said.

“At the same time, lifting restrictions too quickly could lead to a deadly resurgence. The way down can be as dangerous as the way up if not managed properly,”