'Covid Entry Curbs Targeting Only Chinese Travellers': Beijing Warns Of 'Counter Measures'

The US, Canada, France and Japan are among a dozen countries that require travellers from China to show a negative Covid test report before arrival amid a Covid surge in Beijing.

Amid mounting international restrictions on travellers from China due to a surge in Covid cases, Beijing on Tuesday called the curbs "unacceptable" and warned of "countermeasures" in response, AFP reported. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said some countries have imposed entry restrictions "targeting only Chinese travellers".

The United States, Canada, France and Japan are among a dozen countries that now require travellers from China to show a negative Covid test report before arrival.

"Some countries have taken entry restrictions targeting only Chinese travellers. This lacks scientific basis and some practices are unacceptable," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular briefing. Ning also warned that China could "take countermeasures based on the principle of reciprocity".

India has made a negative RT-PCR report must for passengers arriving in India from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand. A negative Covid report has also been made mandatory for passengers transiting through these countries.

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The US' Department of Health also announced that from January 5, 2023, all passengers travelling from China, Hong Kong and Macau would need a negative Covid test to enter the country in order to "slow the spread" of the virus.

In December, Beijing announced that inbound travellers would no longer be required to quarantine upon arrival, sending many Chinese people rushing to plan long-awaited trips abroad.

Last month, China abruptly began dismantling its "zero-Covid" containment policy of lockdowns and mass testing following massive protests against President Xi Jinping. The abrupt U-turn on Covid controls coincided with a surge of infections.

Crematoriums have reported a spike in demand for their services and international health experts have predicted at least one million deaths in China this year. 

While China has insisted that the wave is "under control", the accuracy of its case and mortality data has come under increasing scrutiny at home and abroad.

China reported three new Covid deaths for Monday, taking its official death toll since the pandemic began to 5,253.