The assembly also advised passengers to and from China to wear face masks, for EU countries to conduct random checks upon arrival and to check sewage from flights from China, according to a statement issued by the Swedish EU presidency.
Wednesday’s assembly took position to coordinate a joint EU reaction to a sudden influx of visitors from China after Beijing lifted its “zero covid” policy that for three years had imposed strict restrictions on the country when infections were detected.
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The assembly’s deliberations took place hours later than planned through Sweden, which chaired it, suggesting divergent perspectives among the 27 EU member states.
Ultimately, member states agreed to present a “precautionary approach” amid fears that unsupervised arrivals from China could introduce a new variant or subvariant of the coronavirus into Europe capable of evading existing vaccines.
EU countries have also expressed fears that Chinese knowledge about covid infections is insufficient, a view expressed Wednesday through the World Health Organization.
Those member states reported that all passengers departing China have a negative Covid-19 result after a check conducted less than 48 hours after departure.
Passengers on flights from China also wear a medical or surgical mask that prevents the transmission of small debris on flights.
And he said recommendations on “hygiene and fitness measures” should be given to incoming and outgoing foreign travelers, as well as aircraft and airport personnel.
In addition, experts said member states conduct random Covid checks on incoming passengers, check wastewater from flights and airports, and continue to announce booster shots and vaccinations.
Experts said they would continue to monitor in the EU and China “including the shared knowledge point. “
They said they would take the measures until mid-January.
(AFP)