EU officials urging Chinese travellers test for Covid
EU officials are “strongly” recommending that all member states insist on negative Covid tests from Chinese arrivals before they travel.
Travel in and out of China is easier from Sunday – as part of the scrapping of the “zero-Covid” policy.
There’s a massive rise in Covid cases across China, with reports of hospitals and crematoriums being overwhelmed again/
Some EU countries have already introduced testing.
The recommendation on negative tests came from an EU body made up of officials from all members.
The IPCR advises
- All passengers on flights to and from China wear face masks
- Random testing for flights from China to be introduced
- Wastewater monitoring to be conducted at airports
EU members vote for restrictions
France, Spain and Italy have already introduced testing, whilst others including Germany say they are monitoring the situation.
Despite the recommendation, it’s not know if an EU-wide policy will be introduced or whether it’ll be up to individual member states to set their own policy.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said there is no evidence of new variants in China, despite the surge in cases. However, experts say this could be due to a lack of testing and data.
Many believe, including the WHO that China was under-representing the true impact of Covid in the county. The WHO says the country’s definition of Covid was “too narrow”.
Beijing has confirmed only 22 deaths from Covid since December – a likely untrue figure.
UK science data company Airfinity estimates there are more than two million Covid cases a day in China, and 14,700 deaths.
The Chinese government claims travel restrictions being implemented are politically motivated – and warned they might retaliate.
