Disappointed at delayed access for our investigation team in China: WHO

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the chief of the World Health Organization (WHO), on Tuesday expressed grave disappointment over China’s approach towards the arrival of WHO experts visiting the country to examine origins of novel coronavirus, reflecting the country’s enduring sensitivity of the mission, AFP reported.

After learning that the Chinese officials have failed to make necessary entry permission available, Tedros said “I am very disappointed with this news, given that two members had already begun their journeys and others were not able to travel at the last minute.” 

Tedros further added that he “made it clear” that the mission was a priority for the U.N. health agency, and that he was assured that China is speeding up the internal procedures for the earliest possible deployment.

However, a 10-person team is set to arrive in China for a five or six week visit, including a fortnight spent in quarantine to investigate the origin of coronavirus following the accusations of cover-ups, conspiracy and fears of a whitewash.

Although Beijing was reluctant to agree to an inquiry and delayed access for independent experts into China to probe the origins of the coronavirus, it eventually agreed after the tremendous amount of external pressure.

Meanwhile, the visiting team has promised to focus on the science, specifically how the coronavirus jumped from animals, which are believed to be bats, to humans.

However, doubt has been cast over what the WHO mission can reasonably expect to achieve and the state pressure they will face, raising fears that the mission will serve to rubber stamp China’s official story, not challenge it.