Where are restrictions placed on travelers from China?

Some twenty countries and territories have imposed new sanitary restrictions for the entry of travelers from Chinathe world’s most populous country, which is facing an outbreak of covid-19 after the lifting of its strict control measures of the coronavirus.

Travelers to and from China could multiply since Beijing announced the end of mandatory quarantines upon arrival in its territory, the last vestige of its “zero covid” policy.

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The following is a list of places that have implemented mandatory covid-19 tests for those arriving from China.

A passenger wearing personal protective equipment to stop the spread of Covid-19 arrives at a train station in Beijing on January 5, 2023. (Photo by Noel Celis / AFP) (NOEL CELIS /)

USA

The United States begins Thursday to require a negative covid-19 test taken within two days of departure, or documents showing that the passenger has recovered from the virus in the last 90 days, for those arriving from China.

PCR or antigen tests are allowed “administered and monitored by health services or an authorized provider”, according to the American Center for Disease Control.

The rules also apply to those coming from Hong Kong and Macao.

European Union

As of Thursday, those arriving from China to France must present a PCR or antigen test taken less than 48 hours before the flight.

Italy and Spain also imposed covid-19 testing requirements, as did Germany and Austria, which require “at least one rapid antigen test”.

The European Union indicated this week that “strongly urges” Member States to require coronavirus tests for passengers from China and that upon arrival they are subjected to “random tests”.

Belgium decided on Wednesday to request a negative covid test from passengers who make a direct flight between China and their country, without specifying when the measure will come into force.

For its part, Sweden announced that travelers from China must show a negative covid-19 test as of January 7. Some passengers, such as Swedish citizens and residents of the European Union, will be exempt.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica announced that it will request PCR or antigen tests carried out within 72 hours prior to entering the country from travelers from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao.

A nurse performs a coronavirus test in San José, Costa Rica, in a file photo. (Photo by Jeffrey Arguedas / EFE)

The measure will enter into force on January 9 for any foreign person from those places or who has visited them in the last 14 days.

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Australia

Australia is also asking visitors from China, including Hong Kong and Macau, to show a negative Covid-19 test before arrival, citing Beijing’s “lack of extensive information” about the outbreak.

Canada

Canada asks travelers from China to show a negative Covid test taken more than two days before their departure.

United Kingdom

From Thursday, visitors from China to the UK will be required to present a negative test before boarding.

This undated image released by Stellantis NV on January 4, 2023 shows Archer’s vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, named Midnight. (Photo by Handout / Stellantis NV / AFP) (JUNG YEON-JE /)

Israel

Israel requires covid-19 testing for foreigners coming from China, with a testing center set up to test those who volunteer.

Japan

Japan was one of the first countries to impose new rules for arrivals from China, with the requirement to present a negative test for covid-19.

Those who test positive will be required to quarantine for seven days at a designated facility, and Tokyo will limit the arrival of flights from China.

taiwan

The island of Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory, also requires tests for covid-19, and the state press agency CNA reported that travelers from the mainland must undergo a saliva test upon arrival.

South Korea

South Korea also took action and imposed a covid test before and after arriving for visitors from China.

Those arriving from Hong Kong and Macao are included in the rules.

Ghana

Ghana’s foreign ministry said that starting Friday, all people arriving from China will be required to present a negative test taken before departure and undergo another upon arrival.

Health workers guide travelers arriving from China in front of a COVID-19 testing center at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on Jan. 3, 2023. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je/ AFP) (JUNG YEON-JE /)

India

India also requires a negative test for travelers from China and other Asian countries, taken less than 72 hours before departure.

Qatar

Qatar asks travelers from China to present a negative PCR test taken less than 48 hours before departure, the Gulf country’s Ministry of Health said.

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Those who are infected upon arrival must be isolated.

Morocco

The North African country took some of the strictest measures, outright banning visitors from China.

The measure entered into force on Tuesday and will remain in place until further notice, the Foreign Ministry said.

Source: Elcomercio