Spain, the second country in Europe after Italy, also announced on Friday that people arriving from China must undergo a coronavirus test.
Or they must have a full course of vaccination before entry. The exact date of the entry into force of the measure will be determined at a later time.
The United States has made mandatory coronavirus testing for all travelers arriving from China.
This measure takes effect on January 5 and applies to all travelers over two years of age coming from China, and also applies to US citizens. Travelers must have a negative coronavirus test no more than two days old and present it before boarding.
South Korea announced on Friday that starting Monday, only people arriving from China will be able to enter the country with a negative test no more than 24 hours old, and starting Thursday, a mandatory negative coronavirus test will apply to all arrivals in South Korea.
Japan also announced that it would impose similar restrictions, restricting the movement of aircraft arriving from China at Japan’s four largest airports.
The European Union is also considering further action.
The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) called on Thursday that the introduction of compulsory coronavirus testing for citizens entering the European Union from China is not justified. On Thursday, EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides called on member states to review and, if necessary, increase national surveillance measures.
German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said in Berlin on Friday that there is no need for mandatory tests,
But they are preparing to monitor the various variables in European airports. The minister called for unified European measures.
Israel’s Health Ministry also announced on Friday that it will make a COVID-19 test compulsory for foreign travelers arriving from China. Foreign airlines are required to only take foreign passengers with a negative coronavirus test on their flights from China.
Malaysia said it will conduct temperature checks at international airports.
Chinese state media criticized the restrictive measures taken by several governments. The English-language daily Global Times called it “unfounded” and “negatively discriminatory” Thursday night, stating that its “real aim is to sabotage China’s three-year anti-COVID efforts” and “attack the country’s system”.
From January 8, China will end mandatory quarantine for inbound travelers,
But a coronavirus test no more than two days old is still mandatory.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, described the restrictive measures taken by individual countries, on Thursday evening, as “understandable”,
Given the lack of comprehensive information coming from China. According to the director-general, more information is needed to accurately assess the spread of infection in China before the organization takes a position on the issue of required tests upon entry.
In China, the number of infected people has been increasing rapidly since the previous restrictions were lifted on December 7. In the first three weeks of December alone, according to unconfirmed local estimates, 248 million people contracted the coronavirus.
Cover image source: Getty Images
