After the nationwide protests in China last November, the “Zero Covid” strategy that has been implemented since the beginning of 2020 has actually been shelved. In China, which is preparing to reopen its borders on January 8, 2023, there has been an increase in the number of cases after this development.
CHINA QUARANTINE IS LIFT
With the opening of the borders, quarantine will end for passengers arriving in China and passport applications will continue for Chinese citizens.
MANDATORY TEST AND QUARANTINE
Many countries, including Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan and India, imposed tests and various restrictions on passengers from China after the increase in the number of cases. Italy stated that mandatory Covid-19 test will be applied to all passengers coming from China. Italian Health Minister Orazio Schillaci said this was necessary to “ensure surveillance and identification” of any new variant of the virus and “protect the Italian population”.
JAPAN’S DECISION THAT WILL ANGRY CHINA
Japan, as of Friday, has made testing mandatory for all travelers from China and those who visit China within 7 days, while those who test positive will be quarantined for 7 days if they have symptoms and for 5 days if they are asymptomatic. Japan will also reduce the number of flights to and from China.
It was stated that passengers from India, China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand will be required to test negative before travel, while passengers with symptoms or positive tests will be quarantined.
It was stated that Taiwan made testing mandatory from January 1 to January 31 for passengers arriving from China by air or sea, and those who test positive can be isolated at home. Malaysia, on the other hand, has implemented additional monitoring and surveillance measures for travelers arriving from China.
The USA stated that it is considering taking precautions against passengers from China. The UK and Germany, on the other hand, stated that they are closely monitoring the situation, but that they do not plan to impose new restrictions on passengers from China.
REACTION FROM CHINA: THE SITUATION IS EXPOSED
In a statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin accused Western countries and the media of “exaggerating” the situation in China and “falsifying China’s Covid-19 policies”. Pointing out that China’s Covid-19 policies of all countries should be “science-based and proportionate”, Wang stated that he believes that Covid-19 policies should not affect trade, and joint efforts to secure cross-border travel, maintain the stability of global supply chains, and support economic recovery and growth. he called.
On the other hand, China’s National Health Commission announced that the daily number of cases would no longer be announced. (UAV)