The Role of International Health Regulations in Combating COVID-19

Abstract

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus (COVID-19) “a global pandemic”. It infected nearly 5,568,271 people all over the world and killed more than 350,754 persons from 187 countries to date. The numbers are increasing, and the situation is becoming extremely dangerous.

Accordingly, it is only logical to consider the International Health Rules (IHR) to which the largest number of States are subject. These rules should guarantee ways to protect peoples from this pandemic, considering its tremendous spread across borders. Thus, this paper will tackle the enforcement of the IHR and its present and future role in this regard.

Keywords: COVID-19, IHR, WHO, China, Violations, Present, Future