China ramps up border checks amid COVID outbreaks
3 years, 2 months ago

China ramps up border checks amid COVID outbreaks

Al Jazeera  

China is on high alert at its ports as strict policies on travel in and out of the country are enforced to reduce COVID-19 risks amid a fresh domestic outbreak, less than 100 days out from the opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics. The Chinese immigration authority also pledged to strictly implement COVID-19 restrictions on the movement of people involved in the Winter Olympics in and out of China. China aims to ensure no outbreaks among people arriving from overseas for the Winter Olympics, according to a recent state television report, citing Huang Chun, an official on the Beijing organising committee for the event. While some countries have removed quarantine requirements for vaccinated inbound travellers, China still insists that most people arriving from outside the mainland be quarantined for weeks, regardless of their vaccination status.

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History of this topic

China downplays reports of flu outbreak, says safe to travel in country
1 week ago

China downplays reports of flu outbreak, says safe to travel in country

India Today  

China on Friday played down reports of a massive outbreak of flu in the country overwhelming hospitals, saying that cases of the respiratory diseases which occur during the winter were less severe this year compared to last year. "Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season in the northern hemisphere," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told the media …

China downplays reports of huge HMPV flu outbreak, assures travel across country is safe
1 week ago

China downplays reports of huge HMPV flu outbreak, assures travel across country is safe

India TV News  

China on Friday played down reports of a massive outbreak of flu in the country overwhelming hospitals, saying that cases of the respiratory diseases which occur during the winter were less severe this year compared to last year. "Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season in the northern hemisphere," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told the media …

China reaches comprehensive mutual visa exemption agreement with 23 countries
4 months, 1 week ago

China reaches comprehensive mutual visa exemption agreement with 23 countries

China Daily  

China now enjoys comprehensive mutual visa exemption with 23 countries after reaching an agreement on mutual visa exemption with Thailand on Jan 28. Also, China has reached deals on mutual visa exemptions covering different passports with 157 countries and agreements on simplifying visa procedures with 44 countries. Recently, the French government has announced that Chinese master's degree holders who have …

Amendment to improve health, quarantine measures
6 months, 1 week ago

Amendment to improve health, quarantine measures

China Daily  

Visitors line up for check in at Beijing Daxing International Airport. Chinese lawmakers on Friday passed an amendment to China's Frontier Health and Quarantine Law to prevent cross-border transmission of infectious diseases and resolve major public health threats. The General Administration of Customs, China's top customs authority, should also keep upgrading or streamlining quarantine procedures based on monitoring and risk …

China reaches comprehensive mutual visa exemption agreement with 23 countries
9 months, 1 week ago

China reaches comprehensive mutual visa exemption agreement with 23 countries

China Daily  

China now enjoys comprehensive mutual visa exemption with 23 countries after reaching an agreement on mutual visa exemption with Thailand on Jan 28. Also, China has reached deals on mutual visa exemptions covering different passports with 157 countries and agreements on simplifying visa procedures with 44 countries. Recently, the French government has announced that Chinese master's degree holders who have …

China reaches comprehensive mutual visa exemption agreement with 23 countries
9 months, 1 week ago

China reaches comprehensive mutual visa exemption agreement with 23 countries

China Daily  

China now enjoys comprehensive mutual visa exemption with 23 countries after reaching an agreement on mutual visa exemption with Thailand on Jan 28. Also, China has reached deals on mutual visa exemptions covering different passports with 157 countries and agreements on simplifying visa procedures with 44 countries. Recently, the French government has announced that Chinese master's degree holders who have …

China reaches comprehensive mutual visa exemption agreement with 23 countries
11 months ago

China reaches comprehensive mutual visa exemption agreement with 23 countries

China Daily  

China now enjoys comprehensive mutual visa exemption with 23 countries after reaching an agreement on mutual visa exemption with Thailand on Jan 28. Also, China has reached deals on mutual visa exemptions covering different passports with 157 countries and agreements on simplifying visa procedures with 44 countries. Recently, the French government has announced that Chinese master's degree holders who have …

China on ALERT over likely COVID-19 relapse ahead of winter
1 year, 1 month ago

China on ALERT over likely COVID-19 relapse ahead of winter

India TV News  

COVID-19 alert: Ahead of the winter season, an alert has been sounded across China about the relapse of COVID-19 infections and experts have asked elderly and vulnerable populations to get vaccinated. The Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention showed that a total of 209 new severe COVID-19 cases and 24 deaths caused by COVID-19 were reported across the country …

Millions take to China's railways, roads, air in 1st big autumn holiday since end of zero-COVID
1 year, 3 months ago

Millions take to China's railways, roads, air in 1st big autumn holiday since end of zero-COVID

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Over the last few years with the pandemic, there's …

China to remain alert even as WHO declares COVID-19 global emergency over
1 year, 8 months ago

China to remain alert even as WHO declares COVID-19 global emergency over

Firstpost  

A top Chinese health official said that despite the World Health Organisation ending the worldwide emergency designation for COVID-19, the virus is still dangerous and China will continue to monitor it while boosting vaccination rates among high-risk groups. According to Liang Wannian, head of China’s COVID-19 response expert group under the National Health Commission, the warning status being lifted by …

Travellers no longer need to produce PCR Covid test to enter China
1 year, 8 months ago

Travellers no longer need to produce PCR Covid test to enter China

Hindustan Times  

Travellers entering China will no longer need to provide a negative PCR test result starting from Saturday, in another easing of China's “zero-COVID” policies. China covid: Travellers can instead show a negative antigen test result taken within 48 hours before boarding. Read here: China’s covid drugmakers' shares surge amid concern over new wave Travellers can instead show a negative antigen …

China opens borders to tourists after 3 years of restrictions
1 year, 9 months ago

China opens borders to tourists after 3 years of restrictions

The Hindu  

China will, starting March 15, 2023, fully reopen its borders and allow tourists back into the country after three years of pandemic restrictions. Foreigners “with valid visas issued before March 28, 2020 will be allowed to enter China”, the National Immigration Administration said in a notice, adding that it had “decided to adjust policies of foreigners’ visas and entry from …

China is fully reopening to tourists after three years of border restrictions
1 year, 9 months ago

China is fully reopening to tourists after three years of border restrictions

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN — After three years of pandemic border restrictions, China is fully reopening to foreign visitors – including tourists. In a Chinese-language statement posted on its website Monday, China’s Embassy in the United States said the country would resume issuing all categories of visas for foreigners from Wednesday. Chinese authorities last month declared a “major and decisive victory” …

China is set to resume issuing visas for foreigners: All you need to know
1 year, 9 months ago

China is set to resume issuing visas for foreigners: All you need to know

Hindustan Times  

China will resume issuing visas to tourists and other foreigners from March 15 marking a step in the country’s move to leave its strict Covid restrictions behind, China’s embassy in the US said in a statement. China Resumes Issuing Visas: Pedestrian and motorists cross a traffic intersection near the Central Business District in Beijing. China moved away from its Covid-zero …

COVID test requirement lifted for travelers from China to US
1 year, 9 months ago

COVID test requirement lifted for travelers from China to US

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A requirement that travelers to …

U.S. to relax COVID testing rules for travelers from China as early as Friday
1 year, 10 months ago

U.S. to relax COVID testing rules for travelers from China as early as Friday

LA Times  

The Biden administration is preparing to relax COVID-19 testing restrictions for travelers from China as soon as Friday, according to two people familiar with the decision. The restrictions were put in place Dec. 28 and took effect Jan. 5 amid the surge in China after the government sharply eased pandemic restrictions and as U.S. health officials expressed concerns that their …

South Korea to lift Covid test requirement for travellers from China
1 year, 10 months ago

South Korea to lift Covid test requirement for travellers from China

Hindustan Times  

South Korea will not require travellers from China to test for COVID-19 after arrival starting next month, although they will still need to take pre-departure tests, a senior South Korean official said on Wednesday, in the country's latest relaxing of rules that were put in place after China's reopening. South Korea had imposed a number of border measures on passengers …

China to fully resume travel with Hong Kong, Macau on February 6
1 year, 11 months ago

China to fully resume travel with Hong Kong, Macau on February 6

Hindustan Times  

China said on Friday that cross border travel between the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau would fully resume from Feb. 6, dropping existing quotas and scrapping a mandatory COVID-19 test that was required before travelling. Group tours between China and its two special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau would resume, while the number of customs checkpoints open will …

COVID-19 update: China faces challenge due to flawed containment policies, ineffective vaccines, says Report
1 year, 11 months ago

COVID-19 update: China faces challenge due to flawed containment policies, ineffective vaccines, says Report

India TV News  

China COVID-19 update : China is facing a significant challenge in the form of COVID-19, due to the Chinese Communist Party's "flawed and regressive containment policies and ineffective domestically produced vaccines," GeoPolitica.info reported. China's COVID-19 containment strategy has affected Chinese people and has caused major discontent among people in the country, as per the GeoPolitica.info report. Vaccines manufactured in China …

Decoding China’s COVID-19 Policy U-Turn
1 year, 11 months ago

Decoding China’s COVID-19 Policy U-Turn

The Diplomat  

On November 30, several districts in the southern hub metropolis Guangzhou took the lead in lifting a large number of COVID-19-related lockdowns, as well as suspending testing requirements. In face of this, local and provincial administrations – in adherence to official party doctrine concerning “zero COVID” – turned to lockdowns and mass testing campaigns as desperate measures in tackling the …

China says critical COVID cases have peaked as holiday travel surges
1 year, 11 months ago

China says critical COVID cases have peaked as holiday travel surges

The Hindu  

The number of COVID patients needing critical care in China's hospitals has peaked, health authorities said on Thursday, as millions travelled across the country for long-awaited reunions with families, raising fears of fresh outbreaks. There has been widespread scepticism over China's official COVID data since it abruptly axed anti-virus controls last month that had shielded China's 1.4 billion people from …

Hong Kong to scrap isolation rule for new COVID-19 cases
1 year, 11 months ago

Hong Kong to scrap isolation rule for new COVID-19 cases

Firstpost  

For most of the pandemic, Hong Kong has aligned itself with China’s zero-COVID strategy, requiring those who tested positive to undergo quarantine. Many residents once had to be sent to hospitals or government-run quarantine facilities even when their symptoms were mild Hong Kong: Hong Kong will scrap its mandatory isolation rule for people infected with COVID-19 from 30 January as …

Countries politicizing COVID-19 response harm others without benefiting themselves
1 year, 11 months ago

Countries politicizing COVID-19 response harm others without benefiting themselves

China Daily  

Travelers walk at Capital International Airport in Beijing. Countries imposing entry restrictions on China travelers should listen to these voices and adopt a fact-based manner, make their COVID-19 response scientific, avoid political manipulation and discriminative measures, and maintain normal cross-border exchanges and cooperation. As the world is facing increased downward pressure on the global economy, China's optimization of the COVID-19 …

China records nearly 60,000 Covid-related deaths in a month: Health body
1 year, 11 months ago

China records nearly 60,000 Covid-related deaths in a month: Health body

Hindustan Times  

China said it had recorded almost 60,000 Covid-related deaths between December 8 and January 12, marking the first time China released death toll since its abrupt pivot away from the zero-Covid policy last month. Covid In China: Security guards wearing personal protective equipment amid the Covid-19 pandemic sit at an entrance of a building in Beijing. Director of National Health …

China’s Covid Policy: Beijing can’t be trusted as a responsible player
1 year, 11 months ago

China’s Covid Policy: Beijing can’t be trusted as a responsible player

Times of India  

TOI Quick Edits are written by a team of seasoned journalists from the Times of India's Edit Page and TOI-Online who respond to important news stories as they develop. MORE In another indictment of China’s Covid policy, the WHO has again said that Beijing needs to share more data on its Covid outbreak and that it still believes Chinese authorities …

WHO says Covid deaths in China ‘heavily underreported’; praises US transparency
1 year, 11 months ago

WHO says Covid deaths in China ‘heavily underreported’; praises US transparency

Hindustan Times  

The WHO reiterated Wednesday the need for China to share more data on its explosive Covid outbreak, while praising Washington's "radical transparency" in its efforts to battle a new sub-variant. "WHO still believes that deaths are heavily underreported from China," its emergencies director Michael Ryan told reporters. He blamed Beijing's narrow definition of what constitutes a Covid death, and also …

China defends its move against South Korea, Japan Covid travel curbs: 'Reasonable...'
1 year, 11 months ago

China defends its move against South Korea, Japan Covid travel curbs: 'Reasonable...'

Hindustan Times  

Chinese state media defended on Wednesday the retaliatory measures against South Korea and Japan over their COVID-19 travel curbs as "reasonable", while Chinese tourists decried Seoul's "insulting" treatment on social media. China defends its move against South Korea, Japan Covid travel curbs. South Korean foreign minister Park Jin has said that Seoul's decision was based on scientific evidence and that …

China Covid surge not expected to 'significantly impact' Europe: WHO
1 year, 11 months ago

China Covid surge not expected to 'significantly impact' Europe: WHO

Hindustan Times  

The director of the World Health Organization’s Europe office said Tuesday that the agency sees “no immediate threat" for the European region from a COVID-19 outbreak in China, but more information is needed. Other countries including the U.S., India, Japan, South Korea and several European nations have announced tougher COVID-19 measures on travelers from China amid concerns over a lack …

China Suspends Travel Visa For South Koreans Amid Protests Of COVID Curbs
2 years ago

China Suspends Travel Visa For South Koreans Amid Protests Of COVID Curbs

ABP News  

The Chinese Embassy in Seoul on Tuesday announced the suspension of its short-term visa service for South Koreans in retaliation against the country's regulations travellers from the neighbouring country in the wake of the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak. China Welcomes First Batch Of International Travellers After Scrapping Quarantine Norms For the first time in three years, China on Sunday opened its …

Travelers welcome removal of quarantine requirements
2 years ago

Travelers welcome removal of quarantine requirements

China Daily  

Travelers to China welcomed the removal of entry quarantine requirements starting Jan 8, the first day when China downgraded management of the COVID with measures designed for combating Class B infectious diseases instead of Class A infectious diseases. In response, the Shanghai Airport Authority immediately launched coordination work with Shanghai Customs and the Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection to …

China reopens its borders View From India
2 years ago

China reopens its borders View From India

The Hindu  

Thousands of Chinese travellers on January 8 returned home for family reunions – some delayed by as long as three years – as China finally opened its borders and dismantled the last remnant of its “zero-COVID” regime. China’s opening of its borders after three years will likely have many ramifications for India and the world – economically, politically, and from …

Nations tighten Covid restrictions as China reopens its borders. Top 5 updates
2 years ago

Nations tighten Covid restrictions as China reopens its borders. Top 5 updates

Hindustan Times  

Several countries are likely to see a surge in Chinese travellers as the country rolls back its quarantine guidelines for inbound travellers. The world's populous country, which is reeling under the impact of Covid spike, is entering the Lunar New Year this month leading millions to travel within the country from megacities to countryside. Likewise, many countries are giving an …

Travelers rush to take advantage of China reopening
2 years ago

Travelers rush to take advantage of China reopening

Associated Press  

BEIJING — After years of separation from his wife in mainland China, Hong Kong resident Cheung Seng-bun made sure to be among the first in line following the reopening Sunday of border crossing points. On a visit to the station Sunday morning, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee said the sides would continue to expand the number of crossing points …

China reopens borders in final farewell to zero-COVID
2 years ago

China reopens borders in final farewell to zero-COVID

The Hindu  

Travellers began streaming across land and sea crossings from Hong Kong to China on January 8, many eager for long-awaited reunions, as Beijing opened borders that have been all but shut since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. After three years, the China is opening its border with Hong Kong and ending a requirement for incoming travellers to quarantine, dismantling …

China's 'Great Migration' Kicks-off Under Shadow of Covid, 2 Billion People to Travel in 40 Days
2 years ago

China's 'Great Migration' Kicks-off Under Shadow of Covid, 2 Billion People to Travel in 40 Days

News 18  

China on Saturday marked the first day of “chun yun”, the 40-day period of Lunar New Year travel known pre-pandemic as the world’s largest annual migration of people, bracing for a huge increase in travellers and the spread of COVID-19 infections. “China’s rural areas are wide, the population is large, and the per capita medical resources are relatively insufficient,” National …

China has reopened its borders to tourists after three years of COVID-19 closure
2 years ago

China has reopened its borders to tourists after three years of COVID-19 closure

NPR  

China has reopened its borders to tourists after three years of COVID-19 closure Enlarge this image toggle caption Bertha Wang/AP Bertha Wang/AP After years of separation from his wife in mainland China, Hong Kong resident Cheung Seng-bun made sure to be among the first in line following the reopening Sunday of border crossing points. Those crossing between Hong Kong and …

Travelers rush to take advantage of China reopening
2 years ago

Travelers rush to take advantage of China reopening

LA Times  

A woman holding a bouquet of flowers reacts with her relatives surrounded by journalists as she arrives from Hong Kong, at Terminal 3 international arrival hall of the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing on Sunday. Travelers crossing between Hong Kong and mainland China, however, are still required to show a negative COVID-19 test taken within the last 48 hours, …

Global Covid scare witnesses surge amid resumption of air travel by China
2 years ago

Global Covid scare witnesses surge amid resumption of air travel by China

India TV News  

As China opened borders and resumed travel on Sunday, billions of local travellers are set to make overseas trips in the next few days, triggering Covid surge concerns in various countries. "The order numbers for international flights recorded a year-on-year growth of 628 per cent, reaching the highest since March 2020, data from online travel agency LY.com showed," said the …

China chief epidemiologist's assurance on Covid stats amid criticism
2 years ago

China chief epidemiologist's assurance on Covid stats amid criticism

Hindustan Times  

In what is being viewed as statement in rebuttal to general criticism about data on coronavirus, Wu Zunyou, chief epidemiologist of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, on Friday stressed that the country "has always worked to collect, analyse and assess statistics" on the pandemic as the details are key to tackling the pandemic. At a briefing on …

China suspends social media accounts of COVID-19 policy critics
2 years ago

China suspends social media accounts of COVID-19 policy critics

India TV News  

China COVID-19 updates: China has suspended or closed the social media accounts of more than 1,000 critics of the government’s policies on the COVID-19 outbreak, as the country moves to further open up. The popular Sina Weibo social media platform said it had addressed 12,854 violations including attacks on experts, scholars and medical workers and issued temporary or permanent bans …

In China, zero-COVID policy to zero COVID policies
2 years ago

In China, zero-COVID policy to zero COVID policies

The Hindu  

On December 20, almost two weeks since China’s sudden and unexpected scrapping of its stringent “zero-COVID” policy, the country officially reported a little over 3,000 COVID-19 cases. The Communist Party’s official People’s Daily, in the lead-up to the Congress, published three editorials on consecutive days, calling for “patience with current policies” and warning that “zero COVID must be adhered to”. …

China seeks to minimise COVID-19 risk during travel rush
2 years ago

China seeks to minimise COVID-19 risk during travel rush

The Hindu  

China is seeking to minimise the possibility of a major new COVID-19 outbreak during this month’s Lunar New Year travel rush following the end of most pandemic containment measures. People using public transport are also urged to wear masks and pay special attention to their health and personal hygiene, Vice Minister Xu Chengguang told reporters at a briefing. China abruptly …

EXPLAINER: Is China sharing enough COVID-19 information?
2 years ago

EXPLAINER: Is China sharing enough COVID-19 information?

Associated Press  

TAIPEI, Taiwan — As COVID-19 rips through China, other countries and the World Health Organization are calling on its government to share more comprehensive data on the outbreak. Without basic data like the number of deaths, infections and severe cases, governments elsewhere have instituted virus testing requirements for travelers from China. That hasn’t stopped at least 10 countries — including …

Explained | Is China sharing enough COVID-19 information?
2 years ago

Explained | Is China sharing enough COVID-19 information?

The Hindu  

As COVID-19 rips through China, other countries and the World Health Organization are calling on its government to share more comprehensive data on the outbreak. Without basic data like the number of deaths, infections and severe cases, governments elsewhere have instituted virus testing requirements for travelers from China. The versions fueling infections in China “closely resemble” those that have been …

Explained: Is China sharing enough Covid-19 information?
2 years ago

Explained: Is China sharing enough Covid-19 information?

Live Mint  

As Covid-19 rips through China, other countries and the World Health Organization are calling on its government to share more comprehensive data on the outbreak. Without basic data like the number of deaths, infections and severe cases, governments elsewhere have instituted virus testing requirements for travelers from China. That hasn't stopped at least 10 countries — including the US, Canada, …

China seeks to minimise possibility of major COVID-19 outbreak during travel rush
2 years ago

China seeks to minimise possibility of major COVID-19 outbreak during travel rush

Firstpost  

China abruptly ended a strict regime of lockdowns, quarantines and mass testing in December amid growing concerns about the economic impact and rare public protests in a country that permits no open political dissent Beijing: China is seeking to minimize the possibility of a major new COVID-19 outbreak during this month’s Lunar New Year travel rush following the end of …

Beds run out at Beijing hospital as COVID-19 brings more sick people
2 years ago

Beds run out at Beijing hospital as COVID-19 brings more sick people

The Hindu  

Patients, most of them elderly, are lying on stretchers in hallways and taking oxygen while sitting in wheelchairs as COVID-19 surges in China's capital Beijing. The surge in severely ill people needing hospital care follows China abandonment of its most severe pandemic restrictions last month after nearly three years of lockdowns, travels bans and school closures that weighed heavily on …

WHO worried about COVID-19 surge in China amid lack of info
2 years ago

WHO worried about COVID-19 surge in China amid lack of info

LA Times  

Shoppers wearing masks visit a popular mall in Beijing on New Year’s Day. The head of the World Health Organization said this week that the agency is “concerned about the risk to life in China” amid the coronavirus’ explosive spread across the country and the lack of outbreak data from the Chinese government. Tedros said he understood why numerous countries …

China announces reopening of border with Hong Kong
2 years ago

China announces reopening of border with Hong Kong

Al Jazeera  

The announcement comes after three years of border controls that have isolated the financial hub from the Chinese mainland. China has announced it will open its border with Hong Kong on Sunday, ending three years of pandemic restrictions that have isolated the financial hub from the Chinese mainland. Hong Kong residents travelling to the Chinese mainland will no longer have …

WHO worried about surge of COVID in China amid lack of info
2 years ago

WHO worried about surge of COVID in China amid lack of info

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The head of the World Health Organization said Wednesday the agency is “concerned about the risk to life in China” amid the coronavirus’ explosive spread across the country and the lack of outbreak data from the Chinese government. “The reality for China is that many countries they don’t have enough information to base their risk assessment,” he said. …

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