Countries around the world are stepping up measures to protect their populations from covid-19 outbreak in chinawhich occurs when a more transmissible variant of the virus increases infections globally.
Portugal has joined the list of European nations that will require a negative Covid-19 test for passengers arriving from China, while Germany advises against all non-essential travel to the country. Thailand, which is bracing for a surge in Chinese tourists, will reintroduce entry requirements for foreigners arriving by plane.
The answer comes as China grapples with a surge in virus cases triggered by the lifting of its strict zero-covid restrictions in recent weeks. At the same time, the emergence of a highly transmissible variant already on track to become the dominant strain in the United States is raising concerns about new mutations.
To date, no significant differences in severity have been identified between cases caused by the new XBB.1.5 and those caused by other variants. The World Health Organization is planning an updated assessment of its risks in the coming days.
China has yet to report domestic cases of the variant which have been found in at least 28 other nations. South Africa was one of the latest to join the list.
In Europe, countries such as Belgium, Sweden and the UK have announced new requirements for travelers from China. European Union members on Wednesday “strongly encouraged” the adoption of the tests covid before departure, he recommended the use of face masks on flights and urged sewage checks.
Portugal’s testing obligation will come into effect from Sunday. Additionally, passengers and crew traveling to and from China are required to wear a mask during the flight, and Lisbon Airport will monitor wastewater to identify the virus and perform genomic sequencing.
In Thailand, adults must show proof of at least two vaccinations or recovering from the virus from July starting Monday. India introduced mandatory Covid-19 testing for travelers from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand this month.
