The World Health Organisation (WHO) voiced confidence Tuesday that hosts Qatar would successfully manage the Covid-19 risks at the 2022 football World Cup, AFP reports.
There was no reason to think the pandemic risks would be higher at the November-December tournament than at other major events which have passed off safely, the WHO's emergencies director, Michael Ryan, said.
"Properly managed mass gatherings that have the proper planning can be run very safely," he told a live interaction on the WHO's Facebook page.
"We've been working very closely with the authorities in Qatar on that as WHO, and providing advice as needed to them on how to run a safe World Cup.
"The public health authorities in Qatar have been very engaged... on the public health risk management of the World Cup.
"Overall, the risks are being very carefully managed."
"I don't perceive there's any more risk with the World Cup than there's been with any other mass gatherings," said Ryan. "I have every faith that they will be able to run a successful World Cup and that it will be a spectacle for the world to enjoy."
Michael Ryan, WHO's emergencies director
