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ANNOUNCEMENTS•
Germany and Luxembourg have adjusted travel advice for China. They advise against non-essential travel into the country. The reason is the corona situation in China.
The German Foreign Ministry points out that China is facing more infections and more pressure on the health system. Luxembourg follows German advice, the country said in a statement.
Belgium has long used negative advice for non-essential travel to China. Due to the disruption of the zero-covid policy, China has experienced an unprecedented covid surge since early December, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs writes in travel advice. “Due to a possible overcrowding of hospitals and the risk of a lack of urgent medical care as a result, non-essential travel currently remains discouraged.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands has not yet changed the opinion. The ministry warns travelers to take into account that health care in China is under great pressure: “If you need specific medical care, please note that you cannot get it in all hospitals in China at the moment.”
From tomorrow, travelers leaving for China will no longer have to be quarantined on arrival, the Chinese authorities have decided. However, they must be able to show a negative test result. The PCR test can be taken no more than 48 hours before departure.
joint approach
In December, Beijing abandoned its strict testing regime and local lockdowns after protests, unleashing a flurry of infections. Domestic travel restrictions have also been lifted. According to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a large number of extra “travel movements” can be expected around Chinese New Year, January 22. They can also further increase the number of infections.
As a result of the wave of contamination, more and more countries have imposed travel restrictions on passengers from China. In a European context, consultations took place last week on a common policy towards travelers from the country.
EU member states are responsible for their own border management, but member states have nevertheless agreed on a common approach. For example, member states will urge passengers on flights to and from China to wear a medical mask.
In the Netherlands, as in various other countries, a corona test is mandatory for passengers on Chinese flights. The closet announced yesterday that the obligation takes effect on Tuesdays. The measure is governed by the emergency ordinance.
