WHO says can’t force China to give more info on COVID origins

WHO official Mike Ryan said the agency could not ‘compel’ China to share more but expects full ‘cooperation’ from member states.

A top World Health Organization official has said the WHO cannot compel China to divulge more data on the origins of COVID-19, while adding it will propose studies needed to take understanding of where the virus emerged to the “next level”. Asked by a reporter how the WHO will “compel” China to be more open, Mike Ryan, director of the agency’s emergencies programme, said at a news conference that the “WHO doesn’t have the power to compel anyone in this regard.” “We fully expect cooperation, input and support of all of our member states in that endeavour,” Ryan said on Monday.