France has announced that travellers from China are compulsorily required to have a COVID test done until February 15, said a government mandate published on Sunday.
Chinese officials say that infections have increased, however, global experts have warned of the possibility of an increase in infections in rural areas less equipped to handle millions of Chinese travelling for family reunions for the Lunar New Year holiday.
France announced on December 30 that it requires a negative COVID test result from Chinese travellers less than 48 hours from their travel date. This is because China has recently moderated lockdown rules.
The initiative, said to last until January 31, extended tests on all flights from China, including flights from stopovers, and obligated travellers on flights arriving from China to wear masks.
China terminated its “zero COVID” policy in early December after opposition by people against the strictness of rules, enabling people to travel and the virus to escalate across the country.
The government decree was reported by Le Monde, a French daily.
