US to require travelers from China to show negative Covid-19 test result before flight
1 year, 11 months ago

US to require travelers from China to show negative Covid-19 test result before flight

CNN  

CNN — The United States will require all travelers from China to show a negative Covid-19 test result before flying to the country as Beijing’s rapid easing of Covid-19 restrictions leads to a surge in cases. Indian authorities have said travelers from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand will have to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test on arrival to India and quarantine if they test positive. Officials noted that the “CDC continues to recommend masking during travel, self-monitoring for symptoms and testing for three days after arrival for international travel.” Officials said China uploaded “only about 100” new sequences to public databases in recent weeks, “including Omicron subvariants such as BA.5,” but the small sample size leaves room for concern, the CDC said. “What we’re concerned about is a new variant may emerge actually in China,” one official said. “We need all parties to work together scientifically against the epidemic to ensure the safe movement of people between countries, maintain the stability of the global industrial chain supply chain and promote the resumption of healthy growth in the world economy,” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in a briefing.

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History of this topic

The US is mailing Americans COVID tests again. Here’s how to get them
2 months, 4 weeks ago

The US is mailing Americans COVID tests again. Here’s how to get them

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Americans can once again order COVID-19 tests, without being charged, sent straight to their homes. The website has been reopened on the heels of a summer COVID-19 virus wave and heading into the fall and winter respiratory virus season, with health officials urging Americans to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine and their yearly flu shot. U.S. regulators approved …

COVID-19 infections not problematic, experts say
4 months, 1 week ago

COVID-19 infections not problematic, experts say

China Daily  

The number of people in China being infected with COVID-19 is fluctuating reasonably and won't be a burden on medical resources or the public, experts said. However, the National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases said the percentage of people catching flu and testing positive for COVID-19 rose from 8.9 percent in early July to 18.7 percent late last month. "COVID-19 …

COVID-19: No plan to make RT-PCR testing mandatory at airports so far, say Health Ministry sources
1 year ago

COVID-19: No plan to make RT-PCR testing mandatory at airports so far, say Health Ministry sources

India TV News  

COVID-19 India update: There is no plan so far to make RT-PCR testing for COVID-19 mandatory at airports for travellers, Union health ministry sources said today, amid an uptick in coronavirus infections in India. Corona infections: India on Thursday recorded 594 fresh COVID-19 infections while the number of active cases increased to 2,669 from 2,311 the previous day, according to …

No ‘unusual’ virus behind rising Pneumonia cases China has clarified, reveals WHO
1 year, 1 month ago

No ‘unusual’ virus behind rising Pneumonia cases China has clarified, reveals WHO

Firstpost  

Since mid-October 2023, the World Health Organization has been monitoring data from Chinese surveillance systems showing an increase in respiratory illness in children in northern China China has reiterated that no unusual or new pathogens have been detected in the upsurge in child respiratory illnesses in the north, the WHO said on Thursday after putting pressure on Beijing for detailed …

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 …

Withdrawal of COVID-19 testing for international travellers likely to boost foreign arrivals
1 year, 5 months ago

Withdrawal of COVID-19 testing for international travellers likely to boost foreign arrivals

The Hindu  

The Central government’s decision to ease COVID-19 guidelines for international travellers is set to boost the arrival of foreign tourists in Tiruchi. Of the total number of arrival of inbound travellers on international flights, two per cent of them were subjected to COVID-19 testing. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tiruchi was attracting 20 lakh to 25 lakh domestic tourists and …

Govt Eases Covid Guidelines for International Travellers
1 year, 5 months ago

Govt Eases Covid Guidelines for International Travellers

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: As Covid-19 cases continue to decline in the country, the Union health ministry has eased the guidelines for international visitors on Wednesday. The earlier requirement of RT-PCR testing for a random two per cent subset of international travelers has been dropped. Under the revised guidelines, all international travellers are advised to be fully vaccinated as per the approved …

South Korea to lift quarantine mandate and COVID test recommendation for travelers
1 year, 7 months ago

South Korea to lift quarantine mandate and COVID test recommendation for travelers

LA Times  

South Korea will drop its COVID-19 quarantine requirements and end coronavirus testing recommendations for international arrivals starting next month after the World Health Organization declared the end of the global health emergency. The decision was announced during a meeting attended by President Yoon Suk-yeol, at which he thanked the country’s medical workers and said it was “delightful that people are …

China to remain alert even as WHO declares COVID-19 global emergency over
1 year, 7 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 …

Which countries still have Covid travel restrictions?
1 year, 7 months ago

Which countries still have Covid travel restrictions?

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The United States will finally align with most major tourist nations by scrapping its remaining Covid …

US to end Covid vaccination mandate for foreign travellers, federal workers on May 11
1 year, 7 months ago

US to end Covid vaccination mandate for foreign travellers, federal workers on May 11

India Today  

The United States will end its Covid-19 vaccination requirements for international travellers and federal workers on May 11, when the coronavirus public health emergency ends, the White House said on Monday. In February, the US House of Representatives voted to lift the requirement that most foreign air travellers be vaccinated against Covid-19, one of the few remaining pandemic travel restrictions …

Japan to lift COVID-19 border controls before holiday week
1 year, 7 months ago

Japan to lift COVID-19 border controls before holiday week

Associated Press  

TOKYO — Japan will lift most of its coronavirus border controls, including a requirement that entrants show proof of three vaccinations or a pre-departure negative test, beginning Saturday as the country’s Golden Week holiday season begins and a large influx of foreign tourists is expected. All entrants with symptoms will still be required to take COVID-19 tests after arriving until …

China to scrap PCR test requirement for inbound travellers
1 year, 7 months ago

China to scrap PCR test requirement for inbound travellers

Deccan Chronicle  

Beiijing: 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. Travelers can instead show a negative antigen test result taken within 48 hours before boarding, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters Tuesday. Still, it has kept PCR testing requirements for passengers arriving from …

China to scrap PCR test requirement for inbound travelers starting Saturday
1 year, 7 months ago

China to scrap PCR test requirement for inbound travelers starting Saturday

LA Times  

Travelers entering China will no longer need to provide a negative PCR test result starting from Saturday. Travelers 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. Travelers can instead show a negative antigen test result taken within 48 hours before boarding, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson …

Battle against COVID-19! THESE states roll out major guidelines to combat infection
1 year, 8 months ago

Battle against COVID-19! THESE states roll out major guidelines to combat infection

India TV News  

Battle against Covid-19: Fresh covid-19 cases are brewing troubles in the country. “The state government is monitoring the situation amidst the rise in COVID-19 and influenza cases in the country,” the chief minister said, adding that people will have to take precautions while the government has already issued an advisory. Haryana Amid a surge in Covid-19 cases, the Haryana government …

COVID-19 tests down, need to be scaled up, says government
1 year, 8 months ago

COVID-19 tests down, need to be scaled up, says government

The Hindu  

The Health Ministry on Saturday warned that at a time when the country was registering a sustained increase in the trajectory of COVID-19 cases in some States, COVID-19 testing had declined. In its advisory, the Ministry said that testing at the level of districts and blocks also varied, with some States heavily relying on the less sensitive rapid antigen tests. …

COVID-19: India logs 1,249 fresh infections; active cases rise to 7,927
1 year, 9 months ago

COVID-19: India logs 1,249 fresh infections; active cases rise to 7,927

India TV News  

New Delhi: India logged 1,249 new COVID-19 cases and two deaths in the last 24 hours, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday. As per the health ministry, the Covid case tally was recorded at 4.47 crore and the active cases now comprise 0.02 per cent of the total infections. The ministry said that the number …

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 …

U.S. to relax COVID testing rules for travelers from China as early as Friday
1 year, 9 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 …

South Korea to scrap some COVID tests for travellers from China
1 year, 10 months ago

South Korea to scrap some COVID tests for travellers from China

Al Jazeera  

South Korean authorities will no longer require arrivals from China to do a COVID test from next month. 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 has said, in the country’s latest relaxing of rules put in …

New rules for flyers from 6 countries visiting India kicks in: 10 things to know
1 year, 10 months ago

New rules for flyers from 6 countries visiting India kicks in: 10 things to know

Live Mint  

From today, India is lifting the mandatory Covid-19 test for travellers arriving from/via China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, Thailand and Japan, as infections related to the virus have fallen sharply globally. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, in a letter to his counterpart in the Ministry of Civil Aviation Rajiv Bansal, said his ministry was updating its 'Guidelines for International Arrivals' …

South Korea lifts visa restrictions on Chinese travellers
1 year, 10 months ago

South Korea lifts visa restrictions on Chinese travellers

Hindustan Times  

South Korea has decided to resume issuing short-term visas to travellers from China after noting the improved COVID-19 situation in China. South Korea to resume issuing short-term visas to Chinese travellers. A noted drop in infection rate South Korea's Vice Interior Minister Kim Sung-ho, who is in charge of disaster and safety management, said the move to lift restrictions came …

New travel rules for international flyers visiting India from these 6 countries
1 year, 10 months ago

New travel rules for international flyers visiting India from these 6 countries

Live Mint  

International travellers who are planning to visit India, please be aware of the new rule. What is new travel rule for international flyers from 6 countries Travellers coming to India from China, 5 other countries will no longer be required to submit a pre-departure Covid test report and upload a self-health declaration on the 'Air Suvidha' portal from February 13. …

No more RT-PCR: Passengers from this country won’t need COVID-19 tests
1 year, 10 months ago

No more RT-PCR: Passengers from this country won’t need COVID-19 tests

Live Mint  

Passengers coming to India from or via Singapore will not require a negative report from a pre-departure COVID-19 test nor need to upload a self-health declaration on Air Suvidha portal with effect from February 13 at 11 am. The earlier set of COVID-19 travel recommendations, released in January, by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India says all …

As schools are set to resume face-to-face classes in Hong Kong, mainland Chinese students face adjustment problems
1 year, 10 months ago

As schools are set to resume face-to-face classes in Hong Kong, mainland Chinese students face adjustment problems

Firstpost  

Parents and teachers have called for a range of support services for children who may face adjustment problems New Delhi: Thousands of children who live in mainland China and attend Hong Kong schools will return to their campuses for the first time in three years, parents and teachers of students said. According to a report in the South China Morning …

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 …

COVID-19 update: China reports nearly 60,000 coronavirus deaths since December 2022| DETAILS
1 year, 11 months ago

COVID-19 update: China reports nearly 60,000 coronavirus deaths since December 2022| DETAILS

India TV News  

China COVID deaths : China today reported nearly 60,000 deaths in people who had COVID-19 since early December following complaints the government was failing to release data about the status of the pandemic. The death toll included 5,503 deaths due to respiratory failure caused by COVID-19 and 54,435 fatalities from other ailments combined with COVID-19. The National Health Commission said …

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 suspends issuing visas in Japan and South Korea
1 year, 11 months ago

China suspends issuing visas in Japan and South Korea

India Today  

China suspended issuing short-term visas in South Korea and Japan on Tuesday, after announcing it would retaliate against countries that required negative Covid-19 tests from Chinese travellers. But the virus is spreading unchecked among its 1.4 billion people and worries over the scale and impact of its outbreak have prompted Japan, South Korea, the United States and other countries to …

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 …

WHO Europe: no immediate COVID-19 threat from China
1 year, 11 months ago

WHO Europe: no immediate COVID-19 threat from China

Associated Press  

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — 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 …

China Suspends Travel Visa For South Koreans Amid Protests Of COVID Curbs
1 year, 11 months 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 …

China suspends visas for South Koreans in retaliation for Covid test mandate for its flyers
1 year, 11 months ago

China suspends visas for South Koreans in retaliation for Covid test mandate for its flyers

India Today  

China suspended visas Tuesday for South Koreans to come to the country for tourism or business in apparent retaliation for COVID-19 testing requirements on Chinese travelers. A brief notice posted online by the Chinese Embassy in Seoul said the ban would apply until South Korea lifted its “discriminatory measures on entrance by China” to the country. Around a dozen countries …

China halts travel visas for South Korea, Japan over COVID curbs
1 year, 11 months ago

China halts travel visas for South Korea, Japan over COVID curbs

Al Jazeera  

Beijing suspends issuing visas for South Korean and Japanese nationals in an apparent retaliation to COVID-19 restrictions imposed on Chinese travellers. China has suspended issuing short-term visas for South Korean and Japanese nationals, its embassies in Seoul and Tokyo said on Tuesday, in an apparent retaliation against COVID-19 restrictions imposed on Chinese travellers in the wake of a spike in …

Europe faces no immediate COVID-19 threat from China, WHO says
1 year, 11 months ago

Europe faces no immediate COVID-19 threat from China, WHO says

LA Times  

Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization’s director for Europe, says the agency sees “no immediate threat” for the European region from a COVID-19 outbreak in China, but more information is needed. 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 …

Travelers rush to take advantage of China reopening
1 year, 11 months 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
1 year, 11 months 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 suspends social media accounts of COVID-19 policy critics
1 year, 11 months ago

China suspends social media accounts of COVID-19 policy critics

The Hindu  

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 on 1,120 accounts. …

China suspends social media accounts of COVID-19 policy critics
1 year, 11 months 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 …

China seeks to minimise COVID-19 risk during travel rush
1 year, 11 months 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?
1 year, 11 months 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 …

China seeks to minimise possibility of major COVID-19 outbreak during travel rush
1 year, 11 months 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 …

Netherlands makes negative coronavirus test mandatory for travelers from China
1 year, 11 months ago

Netherlands makes negative coronavirus test mandatory for travelers from China

NL Times  

Travelers arriving in the Netherlands from China will need a negative coronavirus test starting next Tuesday. Health Minister Ernst Kuipers decided to order the restriction after other European member states had already taken similar measures. Kuipers had asked the Eerste Kamer, the upper house of Parliament, to come back from recess so that the senators could urgently deal with a …

As COVID surges in China, US begins testing more travelers
1 year, 11 months ago

As COVID surges in China, US begins testing more travelers

Associated Press  

NEWARK, N.J. — Shubham Chandra knows how dangerous the coronavirus can be: He lost his dad during the pandemic. “Without surveillance, it’s very hard to know what’s going on,” said Dr. Stuart Campbell Ray, an infectious disease expert at Johns Hopkins University. “Hopefully, with more sampling, we will get more information about what’s circulating.” Some scientists are worried the COVID-19 …

Beds run out at Beijing hospital as COVID-19 brings more sick people
1 year, 11 months 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
1 year, 11 months 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 …

More EU countries demand negative coronavirus test for travelers from China
1 year, 11 months ago

More EU countries demand negative coronavirus test for travelers from China

NL Times  

Germany, Greece, Austria, and Sweden are asking for proof of a negative coronavirus test from people traveling in from China. The four European countries are taking precautions partly because the European Union said on Wednesday evening in new advice about China that tests are, “Strongly recommended.” It was also advised to wear face masks on flights from China and to …

WHO worried about surge of COVID in China amid lack of info
1 year, 11 months 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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