Different hospitals in different regions of China canceled the New Year holidays or overtime to cope with the wave of covid infections the country is suffering, even as the authorities try to reassure the international community, which is increasingly concerned about a possible outbreak.
Amid the increase in cases in the Asian country, after the lifting of most of the restrictions it had imposed for months to deal with the virus, many hospitals have been overwhelmed in recent weeks.
And a dozen countries began to settle special checks on travelers arriving from China, as of now, with the opening of China’s borders as part of its new policy, many Chinese citizens are expected to travel overseas.
Since then, trips from China and to the Asian country could multiply Beijing announced the end of mandatory quarantines starting Sunday upon arrival in its territory, the last vestige of its “zero covid” strategy.
The list
These are, for now, the countries that require a negative test and other rules for arrivals from China:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Since Thursday, the country requires a negative covid test to enter its territory, which must be carried out 48 hours before leaving China or a certificate attesting that the traveler has contracted the disease in the previous 90 days.
The US Health Authority accepts PCR tests or antigen self-tests administered and verified by an authorized provider or telehealth service. These rules also apply to travelers from Hong Kong and Macau.
France: Passengers from China must present a negative PCR or antigen test taken 48 hours before the flight.
Italy and Spain They also require a covid test to gain entry.
EU member states are expected to discuss a joint response on Wednesday, announced Sweden, which holds the bloc’s six-month presidency.
Australia calls for the presentation of a negative PCR test and argues for Beijing’s “lack of complete information” on this wave of infections.
Canadain turn, requires a test carried out two days before departure from China.
As of Thursday, all passengers traveling to a UK airport must undergo a negative test before boarding China.
Great Britain, for its part, reserves the right to impose tests on “samples” of arriving travelers to check for the appearance of new variants.
Israel “has decided to order foreign airlines to accept foreign flights from China to Israel only if the latter have undergone tests for covid,” according to the health minister.
A “voluntary” testing center will also be set up for people returning from China.
Neighbors
Japan was one of the first countries to impose new rules for travelers from mainland China, who are now the only ones who have to present a mandatory test on arrival.
South Korea it has also taken measures for travelers from China by requiring the presentation of a negative test before their arrival and another after their arrival.
Authorities require a negative test done 48 hours before departure from China and other Asian countries.
Morocco was the country that adopted the strictest measures, banning all travelers from China from entering its territory regardless of their nationality.
tireless doctors
This weekend, China’s Ministry of Emergency Management explained that the three-day holiday for the new year (December 31, January 1 and 2) represents “the first long holiday” after “the optimization of the prevention measures of the control”, referring to the disarmament of the strict “zero covid” policy that began in early December.
Following the easing of restrictions, the Emergencies portfolio mentions the “heavy workload” of medical institutions and manufacturers of medicines and healthcare products and recommends “strengthening safety inspection” of these organisations.
During these holidays, numerous hospitals in various parts of the country announced on their official accounts on Chinese social networks that they would cancel the holidays of hospital workers.
Among the reasons cited, medical institutions cite the “responsibility to protect the needs of patients”, the needs of “superior departments” or the “current situation” in hospitals.
Some health centers have declared that they will work overtime to “ensure care for the sick”.
Source: AFP and EFE
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Source: Clarin
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.