Countries Reimpose Covid Rules for Travelers from China

Countries around the world have reimposed or are considering of reintroducing curbs on travelers from China, following a recent Covid-19 surge there after Chinese authorities decided to lift its most severe Covid policies.

Starting on January 5th, the US has announced that it will impose mandatory Covid-19 tests on all air passengers from China.

More specifically, travelers to the US over two years old will need to have a negative result from a test no more than two days before departure from China, Hong Kong or Macau.

Following the US, Britain’s Department of Health recently announced that as of January 5^th a pre-departure negative Covid-19 test from passengers from China will be required.

Italy was the first European country announcing that all travelers coming from China would be tested at entry point with France and Spain also announcing that travelers from the Asian country would need to provide a negative Covid test result less than 48 hours before departure.

Photo Source: @EODY

Furthermore, France will also carry out random PCR Covid tests upon arrival while Spain will allow travelers from China entry to the country if they have a full course vaccination certificate, as an alternative to testing.

India, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan and South Korea also announced a string of measures that include, besides mandatory testing, quarantine, limiting airline requests to increase flights to China and aircraft wastewater testing, among others.

Following China’s current surge of Covid-19 cases, World Health Organization (WHO) officials met with high-level officials from China’s National Health Commission to seek further information on the situation, and to offer WHO’s expertise and further support.

Finally, the European Union’s Health Security Committee earlier this week called EU member states to coordinate and act jointly against Covid-19 as China reopens its borders.