Travel ban, border closures directly affected trade in goods, services: WTO

Travel restrictions and border closures imposed by countries as part of the initial policy response to contain the spread of coronavirus have directly affected trade in goods and services, according to an information note of the WTO.

These restrictions and closures have disrupted freight transport, business travel and the supply of services that rely on the presence of individuals abroad, it said.

It added that travel restrictions are likely to account for a substantial increase in trade costs for as long as they remain in place.

The note has examined the pandemic's impact on key components of trade costs, particularly