The UK and France now require travelers from China to be tested for Covid

Spain, South Korea, Israel, the US, Italy, Japan, India and Taiwan have also taken similar measures.

STR / AFPPeople line up in front of a pharmacy in China to buy a Covid-19 test

oh UK And this France Requests for tests began this Friday, the 30th Covid-19 Passengers from China Due to the new wave of cases in the Asian country. Spain, South Korea, Israel, the US, Italy, Japan, India and Taiwan have also taken similar measures. The rash decisions were taken as the virus spread rapidly since China lifted health restrictions earlier this month. Both countries must test negative for Covid-19 before entering their respective territories. In France, further tests will be carried out after landing. According to information published by Agence France-Presse (AFP), a government official said the positive tests would be sequenced to detect new strains of the virus. Germany calls for expanded surveillance at European airports General Director World Health Organization (WHO)Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus understands the restrictions are understandable and help “protect the population”.

China views these measures as “exaggeration, slander and political manipulation”. “Since the outbreak of the epidemic, China has been sharing reliable information and data with the international community, including the WHO, in an open and transparent manner,” a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said today. The outbreak began after the Asian country ended “Covid Zero,” the first wave of the disease, three years ago, in effect from Wuhan. Xi Jinping, China’s president said the strategy to contain the coronavirus is “optimal” to minimize economic impacts. The move sparked unprecedented protests against the Chinese government in three decades. After that, the number of patients increased again. “In order to better protect people’s lives and health and minimize the impact on economic and social development, we have developed the Covid control strategy based on the time and the current situation,” the Chinese chief executive said. Despite this, authorities will lift mandatory quarantines on arrival in the Asian country on January 8 and allow Chinese to travel abroad.

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*With information from AFP