Many countries require a negative drug test or have other rules in place upon arrival from China since the end of the zero Covid strategy.
SourceAFP
© Luc Nobout / MAXPPP / IP3 PRESS/MAXPPP
Published on
UA dozen countries have decided to impose new anti-Covid regulations on travelers from China, a country hit by a surge in cases since its decision to relax its strict health policy. Travel from and to China could increase since Beijing announced the end, from Sunday, of mandatory quarantines on arrival in its territory, the last vestige of its so-called zero Covid strategy. Here are the countries that require a negative drug test or have other rules in place upon arrival from China.
United States. From Thursday, the United States requires upon entry to the territory a negative Covid test carried out 48 hours before departure from China or a document proving that the passenger has recovered from the coronavirus in the previous 90 days. Accepted are “a PCR test or antigen self-test administered and verified by an approved provider or telemedicine service,” according to the US Centers for Disease Control. These rules also apply to travelers from Hong Kong and Macau.
READ ALSOCovid in China: and the shock wave struck
European Union. In France, passengers coming from China must present a negative PCR or antigen test carried out 48 hours before their flight. Italy and Spain also require Covid screening. European Union member states are due to discuss a common response to be adopted on Wednesday, Sweden, which holds the EU’s six-month presidency, announced.
Australia. A negative PCR test is also required before arriving in Australia, which cites “a lack of complete information” from Beijing on the wave of contamination. It is required for all travelers from China, including Hong Kong and Macau.
READ ALSOWill China Reignite the Covid-19 Pandemic?
Canada. Ottawa requires a test carried out two days before departure from China.
UK. From Thursday, all passengers flying to a UK airport must show a negative test before boarding in China. The British government also reserves the right to test “a sample” of arriving passengers to monitor the appearance of new variants.
Israel. Israel has “decided to order foreign airlines to accept foreign citizens on a flight from China to Israel only if they have been tested for Covid”, according to the Minister of Health. A “voluntary” screening center will also be set up for people returning from China.
READ ALSOThe schizophrenia of China’s zero Covid policy
Japan. At the end of 2022, Japan is one of the very first countries to have new rules in place for visitors from mainland China, the only ones now to be subject to a compulsory test on arrival. People who test negative will be quarantined for seven days in designated facilities and Tokyo will also limit flights from China.
South Korea. South Korea has also taken steps to screen travelers from China by asking them to provide a negative Covid test before and after arrival. Travelers from Hong Kong and Macao are exempt from these rules.
India. To enter its territory, India requires a negative test carried out 48 hours before departure from China and other Asian countries.
Morocco. Morocco has adopted the strictest measure: it purely and simply prohibits entry into its territory to all travelers from China, “regardless of their nationality”. And this, from Tuesday and “until further notice”, in order to “avoid a new wave of contamination in Morocco and all its consequences”, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.