ISTANBUL – European Union member states agreed yesterday on a “coordinated precautionary approach” against a recent spike in coronavirus infections in China, recommending asking travellers from the country for negative Covid-19 tests.
“The member states are strongly encouraged to introduce, for all passengers departing from China to the member states, the requirement for a negative Covid-19 test taken not more than 48 hours prior to departure from China,” the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU said in a statement released after a meeting of the Integrated Political Crisis Response group.
Members also agreed to recommend to all passengers on flights to and from China to wear medical masks and to issue advice to incoming and outgoing international travellers coming from or destined for China, as well as to aircraft and airport personnel, regarding personal hygiene and health measures, reported Anadolu Agency, citing the statement.
The introduced measures will be reviewed by the member states by mid-January.
Following growing discontent and unprecedented protests in parts of the country, China has started easing its stringent pandemic measures, saying it was shifting its focus from stopping virus transmission to preventing serious infections.
The country is facing an explosive spike in infections after dumping its strict “zero-Covid-19” policy this month.
Beijing has also decided to scrap a mandatory five-day quarantine for all arrivals starting this Sunday. – Bernama, January 5, 2023
