Travel restrictions in the rising COVID-19 pandemic

[...]Mateus et al10 took a quantitative approach, measuring the days of delay in epidemic peaks, pandemic spread, or magnitude of the spread; whereas Huizer et al11 took a qualitative approach, allocating arbitrary scores in a framework that comments on the efficacy and feasibility of different measures. [...]in the context of COVID-19, “preventing or delaying the spread” or “flattening the curve” should be placed at a higher priority than “containing the virus”, so as to provide a buffer for institutions to better prepare for the epidemic, for example by preparing isolation wards, sourcing and stocking up on necessary personal protective equipment for frontline healthcare professionals, or developing and producing treatments or vaccines.14 A major limitation of mathematical models is that they cannot perfectly replicate real-life scenarios. [...]there is a need for an international framework outlining the ways, timing, and magnitude of travel restrictions according to the stage of an outbreak (recent outbreak vs established pandemic). [...]decision support tools should be further evaluated and validated. [...]extensive travel restrictions should be considered only in conjunction with other public health measures in an emerging pandemic.