WCO - Second edition of the WCO COVID-19 Project Newsletter is released with a special focus on the cross-border movement of COVID-19 vaccines and critical goods

The recent developments of the COVID-19 pandemic show that, despite progress made, the fight against the virus is not over yet. The international community is regularly witnessing the appearance of new variants and pursuing the global vaccination campaign is still the upmost priority. Over the past months, WCO Members have not only been at the forefront of emergency operations, but have also developed ad hoc tools and measures to better tackle the challenges stemming from the health crisis.

This second edition of the WCO COVID-19 Project Newsletter gives ample space to the cross-border movement of critical medical goods and vaccines, providing readers with insight on the most recent work carried out by the WCO Secretariat and Members not only to ensure that vaccines and relief goods reach communities in need but also to protect the global economy from supply chain disruptions.

In particular, it includes updates on the WCO COVID-19 Project activities, on the implementation of the Action Plan and the related objectives and measures to mitigate the pandemic, and on the latest guidance provided to Customs administrations to efficiently manage disruptive events, such as the WCO Guidelines on disaster management and supply chain continuity, which were endorsed by the WCO Council in June 2021. Capacity-building activities, cooperation with the humanitarian sector and best practices for the digitalization of border operations are also featured in this edition, alongside technical information on the simplification, modernization and harmonization of Customs procedures.