Status: 12/28/2022 6:59 p.m
The easing of the corona measures in China and Hong Kong have consequences: several countries such as Italy and the USA are tightening their rules for travelers from the People’s Republic. Germany is still waiting.
In view of the rapidly increasing number of corona infections in China, Italy is now introducing a test requirement for travelers from the People’s Republic. “Mandatory Covid-19 antigen swabs and the associated virus sequencing have been ordered for all passengers coming from China and traveling through Italy,” said Italian Health Minister Orazio Schillaci. This measure is “essential to ensure the monitoring and identification of all variants of the virus to protect the Italian population”.
The northern Italian region of Lombardy had already introduced corresponding tests on Tuesday. Air passengers from China would have to undergo corona tests at Milan’s Malpensa Airport until at least January 30, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Other countries are tightening measures
The US, Japan, India and Taiwan had previously announced similar moves. In particular, the lack of transparent data from China on the extent of the corona wave triggered growing international concern. Above all, a lack of data from gene sequencing makes it difficult, according to US government officials, to identify any new virus variants and to react accordingly.
No changes in Germany yet
For the time being, Germany is not reacting to China’s relaxed travel regulations with entry restrictions. “We are monitoring the situation in China very, very closely,” said a spokesman for the Federal Ministry of Health. However, there is currently no indication “that a more dangerous mutation has developed in this outbreak in China, which would be the reason for declaring a virus variant area – which would then entail corresponding travel restrictions”.
Mass infection after massive turnaround
In early December, Beijing, in a radical about-face, backed away from its strict zero-Covid policy and lifted most of the corona restrictions. Since then, the virus has been spreading rapidly in China, and the country is experiencing the highest increase in infections in the world. According to estimates, around one million people could die in China in the coming months as a result of a corona infection.
On Monday, Beijing also announced the end of the corona quarantine requirement for returnees from abroad, triggering a rush of Chinese people willing to travel to booking platforms.
China wants to issue new passports
China also announced that it would issue new passports as part of its relaxed corona policy. Applications will be accepted from January 8, the immigration service said on Tuesday. Chinese would also be allowed to return to Hong Kong for visits and business trips. In addition, foreign visitors should gradually be allowed back into the country. Visas and residence permits would be issued.
It remains unclear when tourism will be fully possible again. With the new passports, millions of Chinese could embark on vacation trips to Europe and Asia for the Chinese New Year in January and spread the corona virus in the process.