Authorities around the world are imposing or considering restrictions on travelers from China as Covid-19 cases surge in the country following the relaxation of ‘zero Covid’ rules.
They refer to the lack of information from China about variants and fear a wave of infections. China has dismissed criticism of its Covid data, saying it expects future mutations to be potentially more communicable but less serious.
Below is a list of regulations for travelers from China.
Places imposing curbs
United States
The United States will impose mandatory Covid-19 testing on travelers from China starting January 5. All passengers over the age of two must have a negative test result at least two days before departure from China, Hong Kong or Macau. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also said US citizens should also reconsider travel to China, Hong Kong and Macau.
Great Britain
Britain will require a negative Covid-19 test before departure from China for passengers from January 5, the Department of Health said on Friday.
France
The Arc de Triomphe at New Year’s Eve celebrations in Paris.
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France will require travelers from China to present a negative Covid test result less than 48 hours before departure, health and transport ministries said on Friday.
From Jan. 1, France will also conduct random PCR Covid tests upon the arrival of some travelers from China, a government official told reporters.
Australia
Travelers from China to Australia will be required to submit a negative COVID-19 test from January 5, Australian Health Minister Mark Butler said on Sunday, joining other nations that have introduced similar restrictions as cases rise in China.
India
The country has ordered a negative Covid-19 test report for travelers from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Thailand, the health minister said. Passengers from these countries will be quarantined if they show symptoms or test positive.
Canada
Air travelers from China to Canada must test negative for Covid-19 no later than two days before departure, Ottawa said on Saturday, joining other nations in introducing such restrictions.
Japan
Osaka, Japan.
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Italy
Italy has ordered Covid-19 antigen swabs and virus sequencing for all travelers from China. Milan’s main airport, Malpensa, had already started testing passengers arriving from Beijing and Shanghai. “The measure is essential to ensure the surveillance and detection of possible variants of the virus to protect the Italian population,” said Health Minister Orazio Schillaci.
Spain
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Malaysia will screen all arriving travelers for fevers and test sewage from planes arriving from China for Covid-19, Minister Zaliha Mustafa said in a statement.
Taiwan
Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center said all passengers on direct flights from China as well as boats in two offshore islands will be required to undergo PCR tests upon arrival from January 1.
South Korea
South Korea will require travelers from China to present negative Covid test results before departure, South Korea’s News1 news agency reported on Friday.
Morocco
Rabat, Morocco.
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Morocco will impose an entry ban on people from China, regardless of their nationality, from January 3 to stave off a new wave of coronavirus infections, the foreign ministry said on Saturday.
Places monitoring the situation
Philippines
The Philippines sees a need to step up monitoring and enforcement of border controls for incoming people, particularly from China, which is experiencing a record surge in Covid-19 cases, Manila’s Health Ministry said on Saturday.