China ends quarantines for international travelers

First modification: 01/08/2023 – 10:39

This measure ends almost three years of China’s self-isolation, despite the fact that the country battles a new explosion of infections.

Last month, Beijing began to dismantle the restrictive zero covid strategy based on lockdowns, mass tests and quarantines, which allowed the virus to be contained, but also slowed down the economy and provoked major protests.

At Shanghai Pudong International Airport, a woman surnamed Pang told AFP she was very excited about the change.

“It is a necessary step I think. The covid has normalized now and after these obstacles, everything will be easy,” he said.

Since March 2020, people entering the Asian giant had to isolate themselves in government facilities, first for a period of three weeks that was reduced to five days in November.

After the end of this measure was announced, the Chinese rushed to buy trips abroad.

The expected rebound in visitors led many countries to impose mandatory covid-19 tests for travelers to the world’s most populous country, which is facing its worst outbreak to date.

And the situation is expected to worsen with the Chinese New Year celebration at the end of the month, which will prompt millions of trips by urban dwellers to rural areas to visit often elderly relatives.

China said the restrictions imposed by the United States, Japan or European Union (EU) countries are “unacceptable”, but at the same time it requires covid tests on incoming passengers and continues to largely block international tourists and students.

The authorities also tried to stifle criticism of this departure from covid zero. The Weibo network, similar to Twitter, said it had recently banned 1,120 accounts for “offenses against experts and academics.”