China announces optimization of COVID-19 rules
2 years, 1 month ago

China announces optimization of COVID-19 rules

China Daily  

chinadaily.com.cn| Updated :2022-11-15 File photo: A customs officer checks passengers' health information at Pudong International Airport in Shanghai. Yin Liqin/China News Service China will cut COVID-19 quarantine period for incoming travelers from 10 to 8 days, cancel the circuit breaker for inbound flights and no longer determine secondary close contacts of confirmed cases, health authorities said on Friday. According to the notice released by the State Council's Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism, international travelers will undergo five days of centralized quarantine plus three days of home-based isolation, compared with the current rule of seven days of centralized isolation plus three days spent at home. Quarantine periods for close contacts of confirmed infections have also been reduced from 10 to 8 days, while secondary close contacts will no longer be traced. The notice also requires ramping up stockpiles of COVID-19 drugs and medical equipment, preparing more intensive care unit beds, bolstering booster vaccination rates especially among the elderly and accelerating research of broad-spectrum and multivalent vaccines.

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History of this topic

Amendment to improve health, quarantine measures
5 months, 3 weeks 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 …

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 …

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 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 …

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 …

Hong Kong carriers forced to cancel 150 flights to Japan
1 year, 10 months ago

Hong Kong carriers forced to cancel 150 flights to Japan

Firstpost  

New Delhi: At least 150 flights will be cancelled from Hong Kong to Japan in the coming month as the country continues to impose limits on planes from the city. The Seoul notice, posted on the embassy’s WeChat social media account, said the ban would continue until South Korea lifts its “discriminatory entry measures” against China. A South Korean Foreign …

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 …

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

Associated Press  

HONG KONG — Hong Kong will scrap its mandatory isolation rule for people infected with COVID-19 starting Jan. 30 as part of its strategy to return the semi-autonomous Chinese city to normalcy, the city’s leader said Thursday. For most of the pandemic over the last three years, Hong Kong has aligned itself with mainland China’s “zero COVID” strategy, requiring those …

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 …

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 …

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 welcome removal of quarantine requirements
1 year, 11 months 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 …

Nations tighten Covid restrictions as China reopens its borders. Top 5 updates
1 year, 11 months 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 …

China enters new phase of COVID response
1 year, 11 months ago

China enters new phase of COVID response

China Daily  

BEIJING -- From Jan 8, China starts managing COVID-19 with measures designed for combating Class B infectious diseases, instead of Class A infectious diseases. Confronted with epidemic uncertainties, China has always been putting people's lives and health first, adapting its COVID response in light of the evolving situation. The fast-changing features of the virus and the complicated evolution of epidemic …

China enters new phase of COVID response
1 year, 11 months ago

China enters new phase of COVID response

China Daily  

From Sunday, China starts managing COVID-19 with measures designed for combating Class B infectious diseases, instead of Class A infectious diseases. Confronted with epidemic uncertainties, China has always been putting people's lives and health first, adapting its COVID response in light of the evolving situation. The fast-changing features of the virus and the complicated evolution of epidemic response posed serious …

China enters new phase of COVID response
1 year, 11 months ago

China enters new phase of COVID response

China Daily  

BEIJING -- From Jan 8, China starts managing COVID-19 with measures designed for combating Class B infectious diseases, instead of Class A infectious diseases. Confronted with epidemic uncertainties, China has always been putting people's lives and health first, adapting its COVID response in light of the evolving situation. The fast-changing features of the virus and the complicated evolution of epidemic …

Travelers rush to take advantage of China reopening
1 year, 11 months 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 has reopened its borders to tourists after three years of COVID-19 closure
1 year, 11 months 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 …

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 …

In China, zero-COVID policy to zero COVID policies
1 year, 11 months 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 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 …

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 …

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. …

Beijing threatens response to ‘unacceptable’ virus measures
1 year, 11 months ago

Beijing threatens response to ‘unacceptable’ virus measures

Associated Press  

BEIJING — The Chinese government sharply criticized COVID-19 testing requirements imposed on visitors from China and threatened countermeasures against countries involved, which include the U.S. and several European nations. “We believe that the entry restrictions adopted by some countries targeting China lack scientific basis, and some excessive practices are even more unacceptable,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a …

Airline trade body slams COVID rules on travellers from China
1 year, 11 months ago

Airline trade body slams COVID rules on travellers from China

Al Jazeera  

Criticism from International Air Transport Association comes as EU weighs bloc-wide rules on arrivals from China. The head of the world’s biggest airline trade group has criticised the nations imposing travel restrictions on visitors from China as the European Union moved to coordinate the response to a mounting COVID-19 crisis. A European Commission spokesman said the “overwhelming majority” in the …

China ‘under-representing’ severity of COVID outbreak, says WHO
1 year, 11 months ago

China ‘under-representing’ severity of COVID outbreak, says WHO

Al Jazeera  

A senior official at the WHO criticised China’s ‘too narrow’ definition for COVID-related deaths. China’s official data is under-representing the true impact of the coronavirus outbreak in the country, a senior World Health Organization official has said, criticising its “very narrow” definition of COVID deaths. Meanwhile, in a briefing earlier on Wednesday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reiterated that the …

COVID-19: State does a U-turn on seven-day home quarantine norm
1 year, 11 months ago

COVID-19: State does a U-turn on seven-day home quarantine norm

The Hindu  

Three days after making seven days home quarantine mandatory for asymptomatic international passengers arriving in the State from five high risk countries — China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand — besides Hong Kong, Karnataka on Tuesday withdrew this norm. Following recommendations by the State’s COVID-19 Technical Advisory Committee, the Health Department had issued a circular on December 31 mandating …

China warns of measures against ‘unacceptable’ travel restrictions
1 year, 11 months ago

China warns of measures against ‘unacceptable’ travel restrictions

The Hindu  

The Chinese government said on January 3, 2023 it would take “corresponding measures” based on “reciprocity” as it slammed what it called “unacceptable” travel restrictions imposed recently by many countries on travellers from China. Following the surge in COVID-19 cases in China in the wake of the phasing out of “zero-COVID” measures on December 7, a number of countries have …

China says Covid rules on national travellers abroad 'unacceptable', warns countries of 'countermeasures'
1 year, 11 months ago

China says Covid rules on national travellers abroad 'unacceptable', warns countries of 'countermeasures'

Firstpost  

Beijing: China condemned mandatory Covid-19 test requirements by around a dozen countries on passengers travelling abroad from its territory and warned that the decision could take “countermeasures” in response. Countries that have imposed curbs on travellers from China Australia Travellers from China visiting Australia will have to submit a negative Covid-19 test from 5 January. Also Read: China Covid surge …

EU and Beijing heading for collision over China’s COVID-19 crisis
1 year, 11 months ago

EU and Beijing heading for collision over China’s COVID-19 crisis

LA Times  

A passenger arriving from China is tested for COVID-19 at the Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, on Sunday. A special EU health security committee joining representatives from the EU member nations discussed potential measures Tuesday, and EU spokesman Tim McPhie said that “the overwhelming majority of countries are in favor of pre-departure testing” in China. Sweden, which holds the EU …

China blasts ‘unacceptable’ COVID curbs on travellers
1 year, 11 months ago

China blasts ‘unacceptable’ COVID curbs on travellers

Al Jazeera  

The US, Canada, Japan and France are among more than a dozen countries that have put curbs on travellers from China. China has called the mounting international restrictions on travellers from its territory “unacceptable” after more than a dozen countries placed new coronavirus curbs on visitors from the world’s most populous nation. An “overwhelming majority” of the EU’s 27 member …

China's optimized COVID-19 strategy is a planned, science-based approach
1 year, 11 months ago

China's optimized COVID-19 strategy is a planned, science-based approach

China Daily  

A medical worker in a protective suit adjusts a monitoring device for a patient at the fever clinics of the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University. Meanwhile, the Chinese term for COVID-19 was changed from "novel coronavirus pneumonia" to "novel coronavirus infection" -- as the prevalent omicron strains are seen to cause symptoms confined mainly to the upper respiratory tract. …

China's Xi Jinping has a plot to infect the world, spread new Covid-19 variant, warns Mike Pompeo
1 year, 11 months ago

China's Xi Jinping has a plot to infect the world, spread new Covid-19 variant, warns Mike Pompeo

Firstpost  

Washington: Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has warned that Chinese President Xi Jinping has a plot to infect the world and spread a new Covid-19 variant. The former Trump official told radio host John Catsimatidis that Covid could rapidly spread across the globe because more Chinese residents are now free to travel after the Xi administration dropped its strict …

China Covid surge puts world on alert: Canada, Australia, Morocco impose restrictions on Chinese travellers
1 year, 11 months ago

China Covid surge puts world on alert: Canada, Australia, Morocco impose restrictions on Chinese travellers

Firstpost  

Canberra: As China continues to witness a surge in Covid-19 cases following its relaxation of stringent ‘zero-Covid’ rules, authorities around the world have started imposing or considering restrictions and curbs on travellers from the Asian nation. Countries imposing Covid-19 curbs on travellers from China Australia Travellers from China visiting Australia will have to submit a negative Covid-19 test from 5 …

Canada, Australia impose rules on travellers from China
1 year, 11 months ago

Canada, Australia impose rules on travellers from China

The Hindu  

Australia and Canada have joined a growing list of countries requiring travellers from China to take a COVID-19 test prior to boarding their flight, as China battles a nationwide outbreak of coronavirus after abruptly easing restrictions that were in place for much of the pandemic. Australian health authorities said on January 1 that from January 5 all air travellers from …

Canada, Australia impose COVID rules on travelers from China
1 year, 11 months ago

Canada, Australia impose COVID rules on travelers from China

Associated Press  

BEIJING — Australia and Canada have joined a growing list of countries requiring travelers from China to take a COVID-19 test prior to boarding their flight, as China battles a nationwide outbreak of the coronavirus after abruptly easing restrictions that were in place for much of the pandemic. Australian health authorities said Sunday that from Jan 5. all air travelers …

Which countries have placed COVID curbs on travellers from China?
1 year, 11 months ago

Which countries have placed COVID curbs on travellers from China?

Al Jazeera  

Governments cite a lack of information from Beijing on variants as they express concerns over a new wave of infections. United Kingdom The UK will require a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test from passengers from China as of January 5, the Department of Health said on Friday. Spain Spain says it will require a negative COVID-19 test or a full course …

Chinese state media seek to reassure public over COVID-19
1 year, 11 months ago

Chinese state media seek to reassure public over COVID-19

The Hindu  

Thousands of Chinese took to the streets to mark the New Year as authorities and state media sought to reassure the public that the COVID-19 outbreak sweeping across the country was under control and nearing its peak. The surge in cases has raised fresh worries about the health of the economy and in his first public comments since the change …

Australia to require negative Covid tests for travellers from China
1 year, 11 months ago

Australia to require negative Covid tests for travellers from China

Hindustan Times  

Australia said on Sunday that travellers from China will have to provide negative COVID-19 test results from Jan. 5, joining a growing number of nations that have implemented similar restrictions as cases surge in China. Citing a lack of epidemiological information and genomic sequencing data from China, Australian health minister Mark Butler said the government has decided out of an …

Australia, Canada impose COVID curbs on travellers from China
1 year, 11 months ago

Australia, Canada impose COVID curbs on travellers from China

Al Jazeera  

Australia, Canada and Morocco are the latest to impose restrictions on travellers from China amid surge in COVID-19 cases. Australian Health Minister Mark Butler on Sunday cited Beijing’s “lack of comprehensive information” about COVID-19 cases as the reasoning behind the travel requirement, which will take effect on January 5. The Canadian government also cited “the limited epidemiological and viral genomic …

COVID Alert! Australia takes U-turn; mandates pre-departure COVID-19 tests for passengers from China
1 year, 11 months ago

COVID Alert! Australia takes U-turn; mandates pre-departure COVID-19 tests for passengers from China

India TV News  

China COVID-19 scare: Nearly two days after Australia said it would not invoke any fresh rule for passengers arriving from China, it took a U-turn on Saturday and joined a growing list of countries that have imposed strict precautionary directions for Chinese. According to media reports, the country said the new regulations were temporary and added passengers travelling from China, …

China's manufacturing activity drops despite lifted COVID restrictions
1 year, 11 months ago

China's manufacturing activity drops despite lifted COVID restrictions

Firstpost  

For more than two years, China had insisted on a zero-COVID strategy of stamping out outbreaks with strict quarantines, lockdowns and mass testing Beijing, China: China’s manufacturing activity contracted sharply in December for the third month in a row, according to official figures released Saturday, despite Beijing’s loosening of COVID restrictions at the beginning of the month. For more than …

10 nations on alert for China arrivals, demand negative Covid report
1 year, 11 months ago

10 nations on alert for China arrivals, demand negative Covid report

India Today  

India, the United States, UK and France are among the 10 countries to have imposed restrictions on travellers from China as Covid cases in the country surge following relaxation of zero-Covid policy three years into the pandemic. INDIA India requires a negative Covid test report from passengers arriving from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Thailand. UK Passengers arriving …

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