As Covid-19 cases surge in China following the country's relaxation of "zero-Covid" rules, countries around the world are either imposing or considering restrictions on travelers from China.
The Governments cite a lack of information on variants from China and concerns about the wave of infections.
China has, however, rejected criticisms of its Covid data, saying it expects future mutations to be less severe but potentially more transmissible, reports CNBC.
The countries that are imposing restrictions and regulations for travelers from China are:
United States.
Beginning on Jan.4, the United States will impose mandatory Covid-19 tests on travelers from China.
All air passengers from age two upwards will require a negative result from a test no more than two days before departure from China, Hong Kong, or Macau.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also advised U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
Britain.
According to the Department of Health on Friday, the UK will require a pre-departure negative Covid-19 test from passengers from China from Jan. 5.
France.
France's health and transport ministries announced on Friday that the country
will demand visitors from China to present a negative Covid test result less than 48 hours before departure.
France will also from Jan.1, conduct random PCR Covid tests on some travelers coming from China, upon their arrival, a government official told journalists.
Australia.
Joining other nations that have imposed similar restrictions, Australian health minister Mark Butler announced on Sunday, that starting from Jan. 5.
visitors from China to Australia will need to submit a COVID-19 test that is negative.
India.
India has mandated a Covid-19 negative test report for travelers arriving from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand, according to the health minister.
Furthermore, passengers from those countries will be quarantined if they show symptoms or test positive.
Canada.
The Canadian government said on Saturday, that air travelers to Canada from China must test negative for Covid-19 no more than two days before departure.
Japan.
Japan's new border measures for China became effective at midnight on Dec. 30. The Japanese government will also restrict requests from airlines to increase flights to China.
The government said Japan will require a negative Covid-19 test upon arrival for travelers from mainland China and those who test positive will be required to quarantine for seven days.
Italy.
Italy's government has mandated Covid-19 antigen swabs and virus sequencing for all travelers from China.
Italy's main airport, Malpensa, had already started testing passengers arriving from Beijing and Shanghai.
Health Minister Orazio Schillaci said,
"The measure is essential to ensure surveillance and detection of possible variants of the virus to protect the Italian population."
Spain.
According to the Health Minister, Carolina Darias, Spain will require a negative Covid-19 test or a full course of vaccination against the disease upon arrival for travelers from China.
Malaysia.
Minister Zaliha Mustafa said in a statement that Malaysia will screen all inbound travelers for fever and test wastewater from aircraft arriving from China for Covid-19.
Taiwan.
According to Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Centre, starting on Jan.1,
all travelers arriving by direct flights from China, as well as by boat at two offshore islands, will be required to take PCR tests upon arrival.
South Korea.
According to a report by South Korea's News1 news agency on Friday, South Korea will require travelers from China to provide negative Covid test results before departure.
Morocco
From Jan.3, Morocco will impose a ban on people arriving from China, irrespective of their nationality, to avoid any new wave of coronavirus infections, Morocco's foreign ministry said on Saturday.
Countries still monitoring the situation
The Philippines.
Philippines' Health Ministry said on Saturday that the country finds it necessary to heighten its monitoring and implementation of border control for individuals coming into the country, especially from China which is undergoing a record surge in Covid-19 cases.
President Xi Jinping's reaction.
China's President Xi Jinping has remained mostly silent on the health crisis in his country.
However, during his annual pre-recorded New Year's Eve address, broadcast on Saturday by state television, Xi Jinping finally called for unity and defended his government's handling of the pandemic.
“Since the outbreak of the epidemic, we have always put people first and life first, adhered to scientific and precise prevention and control, optimized and adjusted prevention and control measures according to the time and situation, and maximized the protection of people’s lives and health,” he said.
Xi added: “After arduous efforts, we have overcome unprecedented difficulties and challenges . . . While it is still a struggle, everyone is working hard with perseverance, and the dawn is ahead. Let’s work harder, persistence means victory, and unity means victory.”
CNBC reports that Covid-19 infections have hit new records in the past three weeks and hospitals and crematoria across China are overwhelmed with the sick, dying, and dead.
Health. Society and Culture.
Comments