Journeys from China: European recommendations

L’Europe Yesterday adopted recommendations on sanitary measures To charge for air travel from China. L’International Air Transport Association Protests in turn, while other countries prefer not to impose new travel restrictions.

Following the meeting of health experts from member states of the Arab Republic of Egypt on January 4, 2023European Uniona small step forward has been taken coordination Continent-wide health measures, in a “coordinated precautionary approach” to the risk of the Covid-19 pandemic spreading via flights from China, resulting in a sharp increase in the number of expected passengers. From next Monday.

So the European countries Strongly encourage »To take the following measures, the responsibility of applying which lies with the States: Negative screening test are traveling, they have spent at most 48 hours before departure, wearing a mask mandatory in aircraft, random test On arrival (with sequence of results), or Wastewater control At airports serving airlines arriving from China. While France, Italy and Spain have already taken similar measures, the Belgium On Thursday, for example, he announced these measures would be implemented — but only for direct flights at first.

Screening tests before leaving and wearing masks are also part of the health measures that will remain in effect on January 8. flights to China ; This did not prevent the authorities from warning of “retaliation” if such measures were adopted abroad, such as Japan, the USA, Canada, the UK or Eddy – not to forget The Kingdom of Morocco Which completely closes its borders to travelers coming (indirectly) from China.

These health measures, described as ineffective or unnecessary by professionals such asECDCOf course it irritatedInternational Air Transport Association : after, after ACI EuropeThe International Air Transport Association, through its Director General Willie Walsh, indicated that these measures are being taken by states. Although the virus is already spreading widely within their borders. It is very disappointing to see this reckless return to measures that have proven so ineffective over the past three years. “.

” The research done about arrival Omicron variant It was concluded that putting barriers in the way of movement does not No difference At the height of the spread of infections. At most, the restrictions delayed this peak by a few days. If a new variable appears in any part of the world, one would expect the same situation. This is why governments should heed the advice of experts, including the World Health Organization, who advise against imposing travel restrictions. We have the tools to manage COVID-19 without resorting to ineffective measures that cut off international contact, harm economies and destroy jobs. Governments should base their decisions on “scientific factsinstead of “scientific politics”. “.

” Since China has greatly relaxed border procedures, I urge Chinese government Removing the need for a pre-departure Covid-19 test for those traveling to China. Although there is no scientific consensus on whether such measures would reduce the risk of another variant landing in Europe, there has been pressure to introduce them. Willie Walsh concluded.

Outside of Europe, two countries in particular have it Waiver of sanitary measures Regarding flights coming from China: Thailandas vaccination remains compulsory to enter the country with supportive health insurance (which depends on the return of Chinese tourism, while Indian tourism is threatened by specific measures), and the New Zealandwhich considers the risk to be “minimal” and will only offer screening tests on arrival on a regular basis Volunteering. According to the country’s Minister for Covid-19 Response, Ayesha Viral, officials have conducted a public health risk assessment, and confirmed that ” Visitors will not contribute significantly to our positive case numbers, which means entry restrictions are not necessary or justified. We know that BF7 is the most prevalent variant in China and has not caused significant outbreaks in other countries already exposed to the BA5 variant, such as New Zealand. Thus, public health measures are not necessary to protect New Zealanders “.