About a dozen countries have placed fresh travel regulations on travelers from China. This as the nation faces a surge of Covid-19 cases, following its decision to dismantle its strict virus restrictions.
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Countries have supported their decisions in saying that China has withheld information on variants and infection waves in the country. Additionally, the World Health Organisation has called the precautionary measures ‘understandable’. The WHO has also urged Beijing to share more data on the number of Covid-19 related deaths, vaccinations and genetic sequencing.
Countries such as the United States and Britain have reintroduced compulsory pre-flight Covid-19 tests for people flying from China. Others like Japan and Italy require testing upon arrival and quarantine for Covid-19 positive patients.
Meanwhile, the Moroccan government has placed a ban on all travelers from China.
FRANCE
Travelers from China are required to provide a negative Covid test less than 48 hours before departure. Since January 1, France has conducted random PCR Covid tests on some travelers coming from China. France has urged all 26 other Europeans Union member states to test travelers from China.
MALAYSIA
The government announced back in December that it will start screening all inbound travelers from China. It will then administer a Covid-19 test to anyone displaying symptoms. Malaysia has gone further in saying it would test wastewater on air crafts coming from China.
CANADA
Travelers from China are asked to show a negative Covid-19 test, taken no more than 2 days prior to departure.
INDIA
Chinese travelers entering its South Asian neighbor will be required to produce a Covid-19 negative test. This ruling includes people from Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Thailand. Passengers will be quarantined if they display symptoms or test positive.
UNITED KINGDOM
As of this month, travelers from China must show a negative test before boarding. The UK also announced it would test a sample group of arrivals to check for new variants.
TAIWAN
ALL passengers on direct flights from China – including by boat – will need to take a PCR test upon arrival.
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QATAR
From January 2023, all passengers from China must submit a negative Covid-19 test. This must be done within 48 hours of departure. Regardless of their vaccination status.
zahraa@smile904.fm
