In reaction to the new Covid restrictions coming into effect today for Chinese arrivals to many countries around the world, the Chinese government has issued a sharp reprimand, calling it “discriminatory”, and threatening to retaliate with new measures of its assets.
When China recently announced that it would open its borders on January 8 to allow non-citizens to enter the country regardless, it seemed that Chinese citizens could also leave the country and the entire world, which was forbidden for many people. Travelers since March 2020.
However, this week, Covid testing for arrivals from China is about to restart at many airports around the world. It is a reaction to Covid in a giant component of the Chinese population after the relaxation of strict internal restrictions.
Since January 5, the United States has implemented new regulations requiring all air passengers to provide a negative screening result within 48 hours prior to departure from China, Hong Kong, or Macau (for people 2 years and older). The U. S. Department of State The U. S. Department of Health also recently reissued its Level 3 notice asking Americans to reconsider entering the country.
Other countries such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Japan have also issued covid restrictions. arrival, and ERS will also be guilty of random checks upon arrival.
China responded by saying that such measures were discriminatory and had put themselves in position to achieve “policy goals,” which Bloomberg saw as evidence of how politically sensitive the Covid issue is for the Chinese government.
At a briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said, “We, the access restrictions followed by some countries targeting China lack clinical basis, and some exaggerated practices are even more unacceptable. “
Ning added that China “firmly opposes attempts to manipulate Covid measures for political purposes and will take countermeasures under the precept of reciprocity. “
However, the U. S. The U. S. and other countries rushed to protect the new covid restrictions. French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne told France-Info radio that her government was only protecting the French, according to their role.
U. S. State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters that the U. S. The U. S. government only follows clinical advice. Spread of covid, hospitalizations and deaths from the virus.
Australian treasurer Jim Chalmers told ABC News that the new restrictions on pre-flight testing were particularly onerous for Chinese visitors.
In fact, they mimic China’s new regulations for travelers to their own country: starting Jan. 8, travelers to China will be required to provide a negative PCR check conducted within 48 hours prior to departure. They will no longer have to quarantine for 3 to 5 days. , as is the case lately.