WTO Postpones First Meeting in Four Years Amid Covid Variant Concerns

WASHINGTON—The World Trade Organization has decided to postpone a ministerial meeting scheduled to start Tuesday in Geneva, after dozens of nations restricted travel from southern Africa to prevent the transmission of a new coronavirus variant.

The WTO attributed the postponement to newly announced travel restrictions and quarantine requirements in Switzerland and many other European countries, leaving many delegates unable to travel. The group said that the member countries unanimously supported the decision.