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For a long time, the People's Republic was formally sealed off from the outside world - however, China is breaking with the zero-Covid policy and will end the quarantine obligation in a few days. However, the ensuing rush to foreign travel sparked international concern. The first countries have now reacted with tightened entry regulations.
From January 5, 2023, air travelers coming from China to the USA would have to show a negative CoV test before departure, as the US health authority CDC announced. This applies regardless of the nationality of the travelers and their vaccination status. The test must not be older than two days. The test requirement is also mandatory for travelers from the Chinese special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.
Italy is also introducing a test requirement for travelers from China. Air travelers from China have to undergo a corona test at the airport after landing in Italy. People who test positive should be quarantined. Milan Malpensa Airport had already started testing passengers from China for the corona virus on Tuesday. Every second passenger from China has tested positive for the corona virus, the Milan authorities said. Japan, India and Taiwan had previously announced similar moves. In particular, the lack of transparent data from China on the extent of the corona wave triggered growing international concern.
The situation in Germany is more relaxed. The German Ministry of Transport, for example, resolutely rejected an attempt to completely stop flights from China. The German Ministry of Health is observing the situation in China “very, very carefully.” The Austrian authorities are also initially keeping a low profile and only refer to the currently applicable CoV regulations. No region is currently classified as a state or area with a very high epidemiological risk, so entry is not subject to any restrictions.
