NEW DELHI: Beijing lashed out Tuesday against Covid testing requirements imposed by more than a dozen countries on travelers coming from China, and threatened to take countermeasures, according to The New York Times.
China’s foreign ministry labelled the entry requirements — including those set by Canada, the U.S., France, Spain, Japan and Britain — as unscientific and “excessive.” The ministry accused the countries of introducing restrictions for political reasons and said that China may take reciprocal measures.
The restrictions on travelers from China include requiring a negative Covid test or mandatory testing upon arrival. But it’s unclear if China will change its own Covid policy. Even after it eases travel restrictions this Sunday, China will still require incoming travelers to show a negative P.C.R. test taken within 48 hours before departure.
Justification: Some countries have cited concerns about Beijing’s perceived reluctance to share coronavirus data with the world and the potential risk of new variants emerging from China’s surging outbreak. However, many health experts have said that travel restrictions will not stop new variants.
Cases: Bloomberg reports that crematories in China are overflowing as people die of Covid.
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