Why Chinese President Xi Jinping has relaxed his country’s “zero coronavirus” strategy is the subject of much speculation.
Was he convinced by the unprecedented nationwide protests against his tough restrictions, or was he forced to do so by some bleak economic data in November?
While we may never know what was the deciding factor, it is clear that President Xi now believes his country should reopen to the world.
Not content with easing Covid-related restrictions, the Chinese leader opened borders to allow people to travel abroad.
With reports that Covid infection is causing hospitals across China to overflow, there are now fears that the virus could resurface as Beijing allows its citizens to travel.
There is already evidence that such fears are not unfounded. On Monday, two flights from China to Milan were among the first to subject passengers to new mandatory tests.
On the first flight, 35 out of 92 passengers tested positive for Covid-19. On the second, 62 out of 120 passengers had coronavirus.
Currently, world leaders are considering three options when it comes to flights from China: ban them, screen passengers before they are allowed in, or do nothing.
For the UK, the solution so far, along with France and Australia, has been to welcome visitors from China without any Covid restrictions.
However, the thought that planes carrying Covid-infected passengers from China has prompted some countries to take precautions.
For many countries, the lack of information from China about the variants of the virus is a major problem. China has dismissed criticism of its Covid data, saying it expects future mutations to be potentially more easily transmitted but less severe.
However, Beijing’s assurances did not convince some major countries.
Countries take steps to restrict entry of Covid-infected passengers from China
US
In the United States, travelers flying from China will be required to be tested for Covid starting January 5. All passengers aged two years and over must have a negative test result at least two days prior to departure from China, Hong Kong or Macau.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also said Americans should also reconsider travel to China, Hong Kong and Macau.
Italy
Italy is pushing for Covid antigen swabs and virus sequencing for all travelers arriving from China.
Italian Health Minister Orazio Squillaci said: “This measure is necessary to ensure surveillance and detection of possible variants of the virus to protect the Italian population.”
India
The world’s second most populous country has introduced a mandatory negative Covid test for travelers arriving from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand.
Passengers from these countries will be quarantined if they develop symptoms or test positive.
Japan
Japan requires travelers from mainland China to test negative for Covid upon arrival. Those who test positive must be quarantined for seven days.
The new border measures for China come into effect at midnight Friday. The government will also limit requests from airlines to increase the number of flights to China.
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.