Countries impose mandatory COVID tests for travellers as China eases restrictions

Countries around the world have tightened their COVID rules following China’s announcement on Monday on re-opening its borders.

On Tuesday, China’s immigration authority said the country would scrap quarantine for inbound travellers from January 8.

The announcement marks the end of the country’s three-year zero-COVID policy.

China is currently facing a surge in COVID cases although government officials have accused the media of “hyping up” the situation.

The country’s decision to ease its travel restrictions saw moves from countries on tightening protocol for travellers arriving from China.

On Wednesday, the United States of America said it was considering ramping up restrictions on Chinese nationals due to “a lack of transparency surrounding the virus” in the country.

Italy also said it would impose mandatory COVID tests for Chinese tourists.

Orazio Schillaci, Italy’s health minister, said the measures were “essential to ensure the surveillance and identification” of any new variants of the virus and to “protect the Italian population”.

Nearly half of the passengers on two recent flights from China to Milan tested positive for COVID-19,  la Repubblica, a local news site, reported.

Several other countries, including Japan, India, South Korea, Taiwan, and Malaysia have already instituted similar requirements.

China’s easing of travel measures — the last part of the country’s zero-COVID policy — followed weeks of unrest which saw people take to the streets in protests against President Xi Jinping and his government.