Authorities from three countries in Europe France, Spain and England decided to more carefully monitor the arrival of travelers in transit China, where Covid19 shows signs it’s uncontrollable.
Before them, the United States, Italy, India, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia and Japan have also taken measures to prevent the increase in contagion numbers, with a requirement to test people who have transited the country.
China is suffering from a surge in Covid cases and deaths late in the year, shortly after the country eased lockdown measures to combat the virus that have been in place since the pandemic began in 2020. According to a study by Chinese health authorities, until 60% of the population of some regions were contaminated lately. A survey from Sichuan province released this week found a 63% contagion rate in the region.
In Spain, starting this Saturday (31st), all passengers arriving on flights from China will be subject to the health check established by the country’s government.
During this control, which will last at least until February 15, everyone will have to undergo the Covid test. Only those who are without the virus leave the airport.
Health professionals will also visually examine travelers and take their temperature.
The UK Government announced the requirement of the negative result for the Covid test from Thursday (5). The exam must have been taken when leaving the Asian country.
The rule applies to everyone on planes flying direct from China to airports in England.
The country’s government is in talks with authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to extend this rule across the UK.
From January 8, when China intends to open all its borders, the UK health security agency will have to carry out the coronavirus test on a proportion of newly arrived passengers from Chinese territory shortly after disembarking.
French authorities are now requiring a negative Covid test for passengers boarding the country from China.
Travelers wishing to land on French territory with a direct flight or stopover must present a PCR or antigen test less than 48 hours in order to board the plane in China.
Upon arrival in France, local authorities will randomly test passengers who have traveled from the Asian country.
In the event of a positive test, the person must assume that they agree to selfisolate. Likewise, samples with a coronavirus infection are subjected to investigations to check for new variants.
The French executive also recommends postponing nonessential travel to China.
Airports in Europe do not agree with measures
The International Airports Council of Europe regretted the unilateral imposition of health restrictions this Saturday.
“Airports believe that testing passengers from China and imposing other restrictions on travelers from that country is not scientifically justified,” the council said.
“The measures that are being implemented in some countries in Europe and elsewhere are at odds with all the experiences and lessons learned over the past three years.”
“The ineffectiveness of international travel restrictions in preventing the spread of Covid19 and its variants has been recognized by both the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organization [OMS]’ says the note of the organ.