China Slams Coronavirus Entry Restrictions On Its Travellers Warns Of Counter Measures

Amid mounting worldwide restrictions on travellers from China as a result of a surge in Covid instances, Beijing on Tuesday referred to as the curbs “unacceptable” and warned of “countermeasures” in response, AFP reported. The Chinese language International Ministry stated some nations have imposed entry restrictions “focusing on solely Chinese language travellers”.

America, Canada, France and Japan are amongst a dozen nations that now require travellers from China to indicate a damaging Covid take a look at report earlier than arrival.

“Some nations have taken entry restrictions focusing on solely Chinese language travellers. This lacks scientific foundation and a few practices are unacceptable,” International Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning advised a daily briefing. Ning additionally warned that China might “take countermeasures based mostly on the precept of reciprocity”.

India has made a damaging RT-PCR report should for passengers arriving in India from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand. A damaging Covid report has additionally been made necessary for passengers transiting by way of these nations.

READ | Wastewater Testing To ‘Discriminatory’ Curbs: High Factors As China Battles Newest Covid Surge

The US’ Division of Well being additionally introduced that from January 5, 2023, all passengers travelling from China, Hong Kong and Macau would wish a damaging Covid take a look at to enter the nation in an effort to “sluggish the unfold” of the virus.

In December, Beijing introduced that inbound travellers would not be required to quarantine upon arrival, sending many Chinese language individuals dashing to plan long-awaited journeys overseas.

Final month, China abruptly started dismantling its “zero-Covid” containment coverage of lockdowns and mass testing following large protests in opposition to President Xi Jinping. The abrupt U-turn on Covid controls coincided with a surge of infections.

Crematoriums have reported a spike in demand for his or her companies and worldwide well being specialists have predicted not less than a million deaths in China this 12 months. 

Whereas China has insisted that the wave is “beneath management”, the accuracy of its case and mortality information has come beneath rising scrutiny at residence and overseas.

China reported three new Covid deaths for Monday, taking its official loss of life toll because the pandemic started to five,253.