OneThe number of COVID-19 cases in China continues to rise, and as concerns grow about the reliability of the country’s reporting and the sequencing of its cases, more than a dozen countries have announced restrictions. New entry for tourists coming from China at a time when most of them are on their way out.
Several countries, including the US and UK, are reintroducing mandatory pre-flight COVID-19 tests for those flying from China. Others, such as Japan and Italy, are requiring testing on arrival and quarantining those who test positive. One country, Morocco, has even decided to ban all travelers from China altogether in a measure that will go into effect on Tuesday.
Read more: China’s Incredible Turn to Zero-COVID Takes Xi Jinping From Choking Control To Callous Inaction
New restrictions have not eased in Beijing, which began lifting its draconian COVID-free policies last month after a stunning reversal. Rare public demonstration. Chinese state media labels new testing requirements “discrimination” and a politically motivated attempt to undermine the Chinese government. Meanwhile, some public health experts have cast doubt on the effectiveness of these measures. Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, said: “Trying to stop the virus by regulating what we do with travel has proven to be very ineffective.” told BBC.
As China prepares to lift its own border restrictions on January 8, these are the countries that have announced their own restrictions on travelers from the country so far.
Italy
Italy was among the first to announce new entry requirements for travelers from China, along with the health minister. Notification on December 28 that all airline passengers will be subject to a mandatory check on arrival. I mean first and only The European country requested such a test so far. In one of the first flights tested, more than a third of all its passengers who tested positive for COVID-19. On another flight, half of the passengers tested positive.
USA
On December 28, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the United States would require travelers arriving from China, Hong Kong, and Macau to present negative COVID-19 test results conducted by the United States. present no more than two days before departure. The new restrictions, effective January 3, come amid growing concern about lack of transparency about its outbreak as well as the failure to adequately track and sequence domestic variants.
“Variations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus continue to emerge in countries around the world,” the CDC said in its report. notification. “However, the reduction in testing and case reporting in [People’s Republic of China] and minimal sharing of viral genome sequence data could slow the process of identifying worrisome new variants should they arise.”
France
From January 5, the French government announced that they will require travelers from China to present a negative COVID-19 test result no less than 48 hours prior to departure. Passengers will also be required to wear face masks during the flight and commit to undergoing random checks upon arrival.
UK
From January 5, travelers from China to the UK will have to present a negative test result for COVID-19 taken no more than two days before departure. In addition, a passenger sample will also be tested upon arrival.
“The decision to apply these measures exclusively to those arriving from China was made due to China’s lack of comprehensive medical information,” the health ministry said in a statement. statement. “If there are improvements in information sharing and greater transparency, then temporary measures will be considered.”
Spain
From January 3, the Spanish government will require travelers from China to provide a negative test result for COVID-19 or proof of vaccination. Later, Madrid speak that it will accept any vaccine recognized by the World Health Organization, including Chinese-made Sinovac and Sinopharm.
About a third of China’s population—more than 250 million people—have did not receive the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This number rises to 60% for those aged 80 and over.
Australia
From January 5, people traveling from China, Hong Kong and Macau to Australia will have to present a negative test result for COVID-19 taken within 48 hours of departure. “This is a temporary measure reflecting the current lack of comprehensive information about the situation in China,” speak Mark Butler, Australia’s Health Minister.
Canada
From January 5, all air travelers over the age of two from China, Hong Kong and Macau will have to provide a negative COVID-19 test result no more than two days before departure or proof about a recent COVID-19 infection. Measures will be re-evaluated after 30 days, according to Canada’s public health agency. Wearing a mask in flight will be strongly encouraged, but not required.
Japan
Japan, one of the first countries to impose new input required, since December 30 has required all travelers from China (except Hong Kong and Macau) to undergo testing upon arrival. Those who test positive will be required to isolate for seven days.
south Korea
From January 5, travelers from China will have to undergo COVID-19 testing before and after arriving in the country, the government announced on December 30. South Korea also said it would also limit the issuance of short-term visas to Chinese nationals until the end of the month and halt the growing number of flights between neighboring countries.
India
As of January 1, India announced that it will require travelers to China and Hong Kong, as well as Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand, to provide proof of a negative test result for COVID-19 no later than 72 hours prior to departure. onion. Former Government of India announced that it will also begin a random test of 2% of international arrivals for COVID-19.
Malaysia
On December 30, the Malaysian government announced that it will begin screening all travelers arriving from China and elsewhere for fever, and will conduct COVID-19 testing for those found to have fever or other symptoms. The government said it will also test the wastewater on planes arriving from China to detect new variants.
Israeli
Israeli announced on December 30 that all non-Israeli travelers arriving from China will be required to have a pre-flight PCR test performed within 72 hours prior to departure.
Cata
From January 3, all travelers from China must submit a negative test result for COVID-19 within 48 hours of departure, regardless of their immunization status.
Maroc
From January 3, all visitors from China regardless of nationality will be banned from entering Morocco. The notificationintroduced just days before the ban was imposed, is the strictest measure any country has taken in response to China’s surge in infections.
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