WHO Says it Never Recommended COVID Mask, Vaccine or Lockdown Mandates

The World Health Organization has insisted it never recommended COVID-19 mandates, including compulsory masking, vaccination or lockdowns, pushing back against claims that it imposed restrictive public health measures during the pandemic.

In a detailed statement issued on Saturday, WHO said its role throughout the COVID-19 crisis was to provide evidence-based guidance, while decisions on mandates rested solely with national governments.

“WHO recommended the use of masks, vaccines and physical distancing, but at no stage recommended mask mandates, vaccine mandates or lockdowns,” the organisation said.

“We supported sovereign governments to make decisions they believed were in the best interests of their people, but the decisions were theirs.”

WHO said the clarification was necessary amid continued public debate over its pandemic response and recent criticism from the United States government, which has formally notified the organisation of its intention to withdraw.

Addressing allegations that it failed during COVID-19 or obstructed the flow of information, WHO said it acted “quickly, transparently and on the basis of the best available evidence” throughout the global health emergency.

“While no organisation or government got everything right, WHO stands by its response to this unprecedented global health crisis,” it said.

The organisation detailed its early actions following reports of a cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown cause in Wuhan, China, on December 31, 2019.

WHO said it immediately requested further information from Chinese authorities and activated its emergency incident management system.

By January 11, 2020, when China reported its first COVID-19-related death, WHO said it had already alerted the international community, convened global experts and issued guidance to help countries protect their populations and health systems.

When COVID-19 was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30, 2020, WHO noted that fewer than 100 cases and no deaths had been reported outside China.

In the weeks that followed, the WHO Director-General repeatedly urged governments to act swiftly, warning that “the window of opportunity is closing” and describing the virus as “public enemy number one”.

WHO also rejected claims that it had compromised its independence or pursued a politicised agenda, insisting it remained impartial and accountable to its 194 Member States.

“As a specialised agency of the United Nations, WHO has always been and remains impartial and exists to serve all countries, with respect for their sovereignty, and without fear or favour,” the statement said.

The organisation said it had strengthened its systems following multiple independent reviews of the pandemic and continued to work with countries to improve preparedness and response to future health emergencies.

WHO added that while it regretted the United States’ decision to withdraw, the organisation remained committed to global cooperation and hoped Washington would eventually return to active participation.

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