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20/02/2023

TRAVEL ADVISORY: EU Countries to Gradually Remove COVID-19 Restrictions on Travellers From China

Around a month and a half after introducing Coronavirus entry requirements on travellers reaching their borders from China, the European Union Member States have agreed to phase out these restrictions.

The decision was taken on Thursday, February 11, during a meeting of health experts from the 27 Member States, held in the framework of the Integrated Political Crisis Response (IPCR) arrangements.

Throughout the meeting, those present reviewed the current Coronavirus situation in China and the risk travellers from this country represent for the bloc, coming to the conclusion that the situation permitted for the gradual removal of the restrictions.
According to a statement of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of EU, in the meeting was also decided to continue monitoring the COVID-19 developments in China and to take further actions according to these developments in the future.

In light of the recent epidemiological developments and taking into account the opinion of the Health Security Committee, Member States agree to phase out the requirement for a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test for travellers from China to Member States by the end of February.

It also revealed that the Member States have decided to gradually remove random testing of travellers arriving from China by the middle of next month.

Several EU countries introduced restrictions on travellers from China at the end of December 2022, and the beginning of January 2023, following an increase of Coronavirus cases in this country. The increase occurred after China reopened its borders on December 7, after three years of having kept them completely shut due to strict COVID policies.

The first to impose new Coronavirus restrictions on travellers from China was Italy, on December 26, though the measures were officially announced only later, on December 28. The country had been the worst-hit country in February 2020 with thousands dead within weeks.

On December 31, Spain followed Italy, becoming the second EU state to bring back COVID-19 entry requirements for passengers from China.

After several other countries warned they would impose restrictions too, the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council called a meeting on February 4 to decide on joint measures. The measures had not been welcomed by travel organisations like the Airports Council International, who have called them “scientifically unjustified”.

According to the World Health Organisation, China recorded 2,165,484 new COVID cases on January 1, this year alone. The numbers dropped to 20,080 on February 16. Whereas since the beginning of the pandemic 98,856,761 cases of COVID infection have been confirmed and 119,092 deaths.

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20/02/2023

TRAVEL ADVISORY: Germany to Lift Remaining COVID Restrictions at the Beginning of March

The German authorities have announced that the country is planning to end the remaining Coronavirus restrictions prematurely – the mask-wearing and testing requirement for the staff and residents of health and nursing facilities.

According to the federal states’ health ministers, the decision to no longer requires staff and residents of health and nursing facilities to wear a face mask and undergo testing from the beginning of March was taken after concluding that the current COVID situation in the country is completely under control.

However, despite taking the decision to lift the two above-mentioned requirements, it has been stressed that mandatory mask-wearing will continue to remain in place for visitors to hospitals, doctor’s surgeries, and care homes.

Commenting on the decision to drop these two requirements, which were originally to remain in force until April 7, 2023, the Federal Minister of Health, Karl Lauterbach, said that the situation is manageable and there is no need for strict measures.

The pandemic is not yet over, but it has lost its fear factor. The virus can be controlled in everyday life.

Coronavirus measures in Germany have already been eased gradually in recent weeks. Earlier this month, Germany officially ended the mask requirement on buses and on long-distance trains.
The decision to no longer require passengers to wear a face mask on buses and long-distance trains were taken after considering the declining trajectory of COVID infection cases in the country.

Back when such a measure was dropped, Minister Lauterbach said that the number of Coronavirus infection cases recorded in January 2023 had halved compared to December 2022. Moreover, the Minister stressed that the number of hospitalizations has also dropped, suggesting that there is no need for such a measure anymore.

Germany’s decision to lift the measures was also taken after it was clear that the country would not expect another COVID wave in this winter season.

Apart from the above-mentioned, the German authorities said earlier this month that they would also no longer require those who test positive to go into self-isolation.

Data provided by World Health Organisation show that Germany has recorded 81,005 new COVID infection cases in the last seven days. During the same period, the country recorded 61 new deaths.

As for the vaccination rates, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) shows that Germany has administered 194,174,719 Coronavirus vaccine doses as of February 10, 2023. ECDC further reveals that 73.0 per cent of the adult population in Germany has received the first booster, and another 18.0 per cent has received the second booster.

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10/01/2023

TRAVEL ADVISORY: Greece Imposes Pre-Departure COVID Test Requirement for Arrivals From China

Greece has decided to impose a pre-flight COVID test requirement for all arrivals from China following the increase in the number of infection cases in the latter and the recommendations of the European Union.

According to the Greek government, since January 8 all persons who reach Greece from China will have to take a Coronavirus test 48 hours before boarding their flight. In addition, they will also be required to wear a face mask during the entire flight.

The decision of Greece to impose the test requirement on arrivals from China comes not long after the EU came out with an official recommendation.

Last week, the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union recommended that all member states of the bloc impose a pre-departure test requirement for all those travelling from China and carry out random testing upon their arrival.

Apart from recommending that member states impose testing and mandatory mask requirement, the EU Commission also recommended that all EU countries continue promoting vaccine uptake, especially among vulnerable people.

The Member States are encouraged to complement these measures with continuing to promote vaccine sharing and the uptake of vaccines, including booster doses, particularly among vulnerable groups.

The same revealed that the EU Member States have agreed to assess the epidemiological situation and review the measures introduced against arrivals from China by mid-January 2023.

The recommendation of the EU to tighten the COVID rules for arrivals from China follows the increase in infection cases that the latter has registered recently.

Data provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) show that China has reported a total of 210,660 new infection cases in the last seven days. the same source reveals that during the last seven-day period China has reported 668 deaths.

Taking into account such figures as well as the Commission’s recommendation, several other EU countries have also imposed COVID restrictions for arrivals from China.

The Netherlands is one of the most recent countries that decided to make COVID tests obligatory for arrivals from China. The Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport said that starting tomorrow, January 10, all arrivals from China will be obliged to test for Coronavirus 48 hours before their arrival in the Netherlands.
In line with the new rules that the Netherlands is to introduce, all airlines flying from China will be required to inform travellers of the test requirement. In addition, they must also inform travellers of the consequences they will face in case they arrive in the Netherlands without negative test results.

Similar to Greece and the Netherlands, several other countries – Sweden, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy – have also introduced test requirements for arrivals from China.

10/01/2023

TRAVEL ADVISORY: Latvia Introduces COVID-19 Measures to Travellers From & to China

Latvia has joined the EU’s recommendations to impose health and hygiene measures on travellers from and to China, following a spike in COVID-19 infections.

According to the Ministry of Health Communications Office, all travellers that use international flights from and to China are recommended to wear a face covering such as FFP2/N95/KN95 during the flights.

In addition, passengers arriving from China to EU member states, including those in transit through third countries, may be required to present a negative COVID-19 test result, which has to be in English or the language of the respective member state.

Moreover, the Ministry points out that travel requirements for people going to and coming from China may soon change, as happened last year when the authority sent a letter with information to Riga International Airport, including a recommendation to resume the requirement for people to wear face coverings at the airport and onboard aircraft.

If it is necessary, EU member states might consider the option to increase the monitoring of wastewater in international airports, especially at airports that operate flights to and from China.
Last week, the Health Ministry of Latvia held a meeting which included representatives of the Disease Prevention and Control Centre, Emergency Medical Service and public health experts, with the meeting focused on the position of EU member states on the rapid spread of COVID-19 in China.

As per Latvia’s epidemiological situation, data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) reveals that 249 positive COVID-19 cases have been recorded in the country during the past seven days. In addition, 12 deaths related to the virus were reported, taking the total number of fatalities so far to 6,177 while the total number of cases since the pandemic breakout has peaked at 974,529.

The Health Ministry continues calling on residents to get booster shots, as the interest to be vaccinated has dropped significantly, especially compared to other member states – only 4.5 per cent of residents have an updated immunity status.

On the other hand, WHO’s data shows that the total vaccine doses administered per 100 inhabitants in Latvia stands at 152.5, lower than the global average of 167.73. Additionally, there are 66.72 fully vaccinated people with the last dose of primary series per 100 inhabitants in the country while the share of people who have received a booster shot for 100 habitants stands at 28.9.

The measures introduced to travellers related to China are a national effort to curb the potential spread of the virus, which took the lives of 201,378 people in China and another 10.6 million were infected with it in the last three years.

10/01/2023

TRAVEL ADVISORY: Netherlands Makes COVID-19 Tests Obligatory for Arrivals From China From January 10

The Netherlands is the next European Union Member Country to require travellers from China to test for COVID-19 within 48 hours before their arrival in the Netherlands, starting today, January 10.

The decision has been taken by the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, following a recommendation of the EU on January 4 to the Member States, to impose such a measure, as a response to the situation in China.

While several countries had already introduced such measures before January 4, the Netherlands will be imposing the requirement of a negative COVID test as of Tuesday while also advising travellers to wear masks on flights to and from China.

Commenting on the new measures, the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport, Ernst Kuipers, said that it is important for such measures to be taken in order to prevent the spread of the virus, adding that the Netherlands has decided to align the requirements as much as possible with the EU recommendation of January 4.

It is important that we take travel measures in the context of the fight against COVID-19 at a European level. Together with colleagues, I have decided to follow the European line from the consultations of the Council of the EU’s Crisis Response (IPCR).

Airlines flying from China to the Netherlands will be obliged to inform travellers that there is a test obligation in order to enter the Dutch territory and the consequences that travellers may face if they arrive in the Netherlands without negative test results.

The country is undertaking other measures as well, in order to keep the Coronavirus situation under control. COVID-19 self-tests will be handed out at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, while travellers will also be informed on the importance of measures that they can take to prevent being infected.

At the same time, the Dutch authorities are applying a recommendation of the EU Commission to test wastewater at airports and from aeroplane toilets from China, in order to detect new variants of the virus.

A large share of the EU countries have already imposed COVID-19 restrictions on arrivals from China, with Italy topping the list by imposing the restrictions on December 26 last year. Spain, Germany, France, and Sweden have all followed.

The reason for such measures is that after China reopened its borders on December 7, there was a surge in the number of Coronavirus cases. The Dutch government claims that since the country kept borders closed for three years, little immunity has been built up there, and as such, special attention should be paid for passengers arriving from this country.

Yet, it still notes that in the Netherlands, the consequences of infection are less serious since, due to the high number of fully vaccinated persons, immunity is much greater amongst Dutch nationals and residents.

06/01/2023

TRAVEL ADVISORY: Germany to Impose COVID Test on Arrivals From China

Travellers from China planning to enter Germany will now be subject to mandatory Coronavirus tests, following the recent European Union recommendation.

Such a decision has been confirmed by German Health Minister, Karl Lauterbach, and comes as part of efforts to protect citizens’ lives due to the increase in the number of infections that China is facing.

The Health Minister said that Germany would demand at least a rapid test taken before their departure, while stressing that spot COVID tests would also be carried out at random on some travellers in order to recognize virus strains, according to a Deutsche Welle report.

Lauterbach considered the recommendation of the European Union a good decision.

On this basis we are now also changing German entry rules at short notice.

Yesterday, the European Union countries agreed to recommend that EU countries introduce a pre-departure testing for all those arriving from China and random testing on arrival as a preventive measure, following the surge in the number of COVID-19 infections in China.

The Member States are strongly encouraged to introduce, for all passengers departing from China to Member States, the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test taken not more than 48 hours prior to departure from China,” the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union pointed out in this regard through a statement.

EU countries are also advised to recommend travellers on flights to China and vice versa to wear face masks and also issue advice regarding health measures and personal hygiene.

The current epidemiological situation in China has sparked controversies among European countries, while some European countries have decided to introduce travel measures, others do not consider such a decision necessary.

Recently authorities in Greece and Switzerland confirmed that they would not impose restrictions for citizens of China despite the surge in the number of COVID-19 infections.

On the other hand, authorities in France, Spain and Italy, announced that all arrivals from China are subject to compulsory COVID test upon their arrival.

The United Kingdom’s government also joined the list of the European countries that introduced mandatory COVID-19 test requirements when planning to reach this territory.

Recently, the Director-General of World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus criticised authorities in China for not providing enough data regarding the current situation. In addition, he called on authorities in China to provide regular data in terms of hospitalisation and deaths.

06/01/2023

TRAVEL ADVISORY: EU Recommends to Impose COVID-19 Test for Arrivals From China

The European Union Member States have agreed to recommend that all Member States impose pre-departure testing for all arrivals from China as well as random testing on arrival as a response to the surge in the number of COVID-19 cases that China is experiencing.

The Member States are strongly encouraged to introduce, for all passengers departing from China to the Member States, the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test taken not more than 48 hours prior to departure from China.

In addition, the EU Member States are also urged to recommend all passengers on flights to and from China to wear face masks and issue advice regarding health measures and personal hygiene.
EU countries are also urged to continue to promote vaccine sharing as well as the uptake of vaccines, taking also into account booster shots, especially among vulnerable groups.

The IPCR, with the support of the ECDC and the EEAS, and taking into account WHO assessment, will continue to monitor the epidemiological situation in the EU and developments in China, including the level of data shared, with a view to ensuring EU coordination of any measures considered necessary.

China is recently dealing with a surge in the number of COVID-19 infection cases while the situation has led several countries worldwide to reintroduce preventive measures for arrivals from China in order to protect citizens’ lives.

Besides, China is being criticized for not providing data regarding the current epidemiological situation. Recently, the World Health Organization has thrown accusations towards authorities in China of under-representing the current COVID-19 situation.

In addition, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, during a media briefing, called on Chinese authorities to provide more rapid and regular data regarding hospitalization and deaths, and more comprehensive and real-time viral sequencing.

The current epidemiological situation in China has sparked controversies among European countries on whether it is needed to impose additional travel measures on arrival from China or not.

Recently, authorities in Greece, Switzerland, and Germany announced that they do not plan to impose travel restrictions on arrivals from China, despite the increased number of infections that the latter is facing.

But countries like Spain, France, Italy announced that they decided to introduce compulsory COVID-19 tests on passengers arriving from China.

In addition, authorities in the United Kingdom also confirmed that travelers from China who plan to reach this territory will be subject to a mandatory Coronavirus test upon their arrival.

06/01/2023

TRAVEL ADVISORY: EU Recommends to Impose COVID-19 Test for Arrivals From China

The European Union Member States have agreed to recommend that all Member States impose pre-departure testing for all arrivals from China as well as random testing on arrival as a response to the surge in the number of COVID-19 cases that China is experiencing.

The Member States are strongly encouraged to introduce, for all passengers departing from China to the Member States, the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test taken not more than 48 hours prior to departure from China.

In addition, the EU Member States are also urged to recommend all passengers on flights to and from China to wear face masks and issue advice regarding health measures and personal hygiene.
EU countries are also urged to continue to promote vaccine sharing as well as the uptake of vaccines, taking also into account booster shots, especially among vulnerable groups.

The IPCR, with the support of the ECDC and the EEAS, and taking into account WHO assessment, will continue to monitor the epidemiological situation in the EU and developments in China, including the level of data shared, with a view to ensuring EU coordination of any measures considered necessary.

China is recently dealing with a surge in the number of COVID-19 infection cases while the situation has led several countries worldwide to reintroduce preventive measures for arrivals from China in order to protect citizens’ lives.

Besides, China is being criticized for not providing data regarding the current epidemiological situation. Recently, the World Health Organization has thrown accusations towards authorities in China of under-representing the current COVID-19 situation.

In addition, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, during a media briefing, called on Chinese authorities to provide more rapid and regular data regarding hospitalization and deaths, and more comprehensive and real-time viral sequencing.

The current epidemiological situation in China has sparked controversies among European countries on whether it is needed to impose additional travel measures on arrival from China or not.

Recently, authorities in Greece, Switzerland, and Germany announced that they do not plan to impose travel restrictions on arrivals from China, despite the increased number of infections that the latter is facing.

But countries like Spain, France, Italy announced that they decided to introduce compulsory COVID-19 tests on passengers arriving from China.

In addition, authorities in the United Kingdom also confirmed that travelers from China who plan to reach this territory will be subject to a mandatory Coronavirus test upon their arrival.

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06/01/2023

TRAVEL ADVISORY: Greece & Switzerland Will Not Introduce Travel Restrictions for Arrivals From China

Greece and Switzerland will not impose travel restrictions for arrivals from China despite the current COVID-19 situation on the latter.
China has recently seen a surge in the number of COVID-19 infections, which has led the authorities in other countries to reconsider the possibility of reintroducing preventive measures in order to prevent another increase in the number of infections.

However, Greece’s National Public Health Organization (EODY) has confirmed that the Hellenic Republic has no intention of re-imposing restrictions for travelers from China, due to the Coronavirus situation in China.

Our country will not impose restrictive measures for international movements, in accordance with the recommendations of international organizations and the EU.

Authorities in Greece have said that they will continue to protect public health and remain vigilant, while the European Union continues to monitor the developments closely.

Previously officials in China announced that they would lift international travel restrictions this month, while arrivals from China to European Union countries are also expected.

In addition, previously, Air China initiated a new direct flight between Shanghai and Greece’s capital Athens, at Athens International Airport (AIA).

Authorities in Switzerland also confirmed that they have no plans to tighten travel restrictions on passengers from China, despite the increase in the number of COVID-19 infections, following China’s decision to abolish all the restrictions for international arrivals.

It is not currently necessary to provide proof of vaccination, recovery from Covid-19 or a (negative) test to enter Switzerland. There are no plans for the moment to introduce health measures at the border either.

German leaders also said that they would not introduce additional preventive measures for arrivals from China.

However, some other European countries, such as Italy, France and Spain, didn’t share the same opinion as Greece and Switzerland and Germany. Besides, authorities from these three countries decided to impose a mandatory COVID-19 test on arrivals from China.

The government of the United Kingdom also announced that Chinese citizens are subject to mandatory COVID-19 test when planning to enter this territory.

Introducing compulsory screenings for passengers from China was considered unjustified by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

Recently, in a meeting held regarding the epidemiological situation in China, scientists advising the World Health Organization (WHO) said that they wanted a more realistic picture regarding the Coronavirus situation from top experts from China.

06/01/2023

TRAVEL ADVISORY: France to Impose COVID-19 Entry Restrictions for Travellers From China From January 5

Following an increase in the number of Coronavirus cases in China since the latter reopened its borders on December 7, 2022, after keeping them almost completely closed for three years, the French authorities have decided to impose COVID-19 entry restrictions on passengers from this country.

Through a decree approved on December 30 last year, France has decided to establish health checks for flights from China, starting from next Thursday, January 5, 2023.

Faced with the resurgence of the COVID-19 epidemic in China and with a view to the very imminent reopening of the borders of this State, the decree establishes health control measures in order to ensure the protection of the French population.

According to the same, travellers aged 12 and older will have to present negative results of a Coronavirus test taken within the last 48 hours, before their trip to France.

They will also have to sign a certificate through which they confirm that they have no symptoms of the virus, and that they have not been in contact with an infected person in the 14 days before their flight. Through this certificate, travellers from China also agree to test for COVID-19 upon arrival and make themselves available to be contacted by the French authorities for up to 15 days after their arrival in France.

If the result of the test performed on arrival is positive for COVID-19, they do a seven-day isolation period and then do a PCR or antigenic test at the end of this isolation period.

Before the restrictions become effective on January 5, travellers from China may be randomly subjected to optional testing, upon reaching France.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also recalls that since January 1, 2023, all travellers from China aged six and older are obliged to wear a mask on the plane. Exempt are disabled persons with a medical certificate justifying the exemption.

France is the third country in Europe to have brought back entry restrictions for passengers from China, amid an outbreak of the virus in the Asian country. Italy was the first European country to introduce COVID-19 entry measures for travellers from China on December 26, though the measures were officially announced only two days later, on December 28.

These actions have been criticized by many, including here Airports Council International – ACI EUROPE which has called the newly imposed COVID-19 restrictions “scientifically unjustified”.
France removed all travel restrictions related to Coronavirus in the spring of last year, while at the same time abolishing the domestic health pass, which for a long period of time was required for accessing restaurants and other indoor areas in France, amid the Coronavirus pandemic.

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06/01/2023

TRAVEL ADVISORY: Spain Imposes COVID-19 Restrictions on Arrivals From China

All travellers reaching Spain from China now need to present negative COVID-19 test results, or proof of complete vaccination against the virus, with any of the vaccines approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The move to impose such a restriction on arrivals from China on Spain’s side follows Italy’s decision to impose COVID-19 testing on travellers from China, which has resulted with over half of those getting tested, resulting infected with the virus.

In a press release issued on December 30, the Spanish Ministry of Health has revealed that due to concerns that have aroused as a result of the increase in the number of COVID-19 infections in China, after the latter finally reopened its borders after three years, on December 7, Spain has decided to impose such preventive restrictions.

In a Twitter thread publishing the order on the new measures, the Ministry has noted that travellers from China will go through a documentary, visual and temperature control, in addition to performing a diagnostic test for active infection by SARS-CoV-2, at the point of entry into Spain.

The resolution also provides for the requirement of an EU Digital COVID Certificate (CCD-UE) or equivalent to all passengers on flights from China from next January 3, the Ministry points out adding that for now, the measures will be in place until February 15, 2023.

The new restrictions will only affect travellers on flights from the mainland People’s Republic of China, which means that travellers from other places as Hong Kong will not be affected.

Commenting on the newly imposed measures, the country’s Minister of Health, Carolina Darias, has insisted on the importance of full and updated vaccination against COVID-19 for the Spanish people, adding that up until now, 94 per cent of people older than 60 have already received their first booster vaccine in this country. 55 per cent of those over 60 and 73 per cent of those over 80 have been inoculated with a booster dose, as well.

Italy was the first country to impose restrictions on travellers from China, and now France, the United Kingdom and Spain have followed doing the same in Europe. Other world countries have also imposed similar measures, including Israel and Japan.

On December 28, 2022, Minister Orazio Schillaci ordered mandatory Covid-19 antigenic swabs and, in case of positivity, molecular testing for virus sequencing, for all passengers coming from China and transiting through Italy.

The Spanish Ministry of Health, on the meantime, is calling on the EU for the Integrated Political Response Device to Crises (RPIC Device) to adopt a common position on entry restrictions for travellers from China, and review the possibility of requesting them a COVID Digital Certificate for entry on any of the EU countries.