Short term travel restrictions have little to no effect in arresting the spread of COVID-19, says Prof. Malik Peiris of School of Public Health at the University of Hong Kong.

Prof. Peiris, who joined a virtual round of discussion, explained the scientific basis behind the need to impose 14-day travel restrictions.

Interprovincial travel restrictions cannot curb the spread of the virus at this point as there are coronavirus-infected people in all regions across the country, Prof. Peiris said, adding that it could have an effect if the restrictions were imposed in mid-April.

Speaking further, Pro. Peiris pointed out that the infectivity of an individual is around 5-7 days. Hence, this person can still be a carrier of COVID-19 after a period of three-day travel restriction, he added.

Prof. Peiris explained that the incubation period of COVID-19 – the time between exposure to the virus and symptom onset – is approximately 5 days.