Amid COVID Spread in China, Countries Tighten Entry Restrictions... China Protests "Discriminatory Quarantine" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] As countries around the world strengthen entry restrictions from China due to the spread of COVID-19 in China, the Chinese government has responded by arguing that quarantine measures should not be discriminatory.

According to Bloomberg on the 29th, the United States will require all travelers entering from mainland China, Macau, and Hong Kong to submit a negative COVID-19 test result taken within two days before boarding or proof of recovery from COVID-19 starting from the 5th of next month.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explained on the 28th (local time), "Sufficient and transparent viral genome data from China has not been reported," and "this measure is implemented to prevent the surge of COVID-19 in China from leading to spread within the United States."

Other countries are also following suit by tightening entry restrictions. Japan will conduct COVID-19 tests on all arrivals from China starting on the 30th. India will mandate COVID-19 testing for people entering from six countries including China, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand starting from the 1st of next month. Taiwan and Italy have also made COVID-19 testing mandatory for arrivals from China.

However, the Chinese government has effectively rebutted by stating, "Quarantine measures must be scientific and non-discriminatory."

Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a regular briefing that day regarding the trend of strengthening quarantine measures for arrivals from China, "China always believes that each country's quarantine measures should be scientific and appropriate, should not discriminate against any country's citizens, and should not affect normal personnel exchanges and cooperation."

Spokesperson Wang added, "We hope that all countries adhere to scientific principles, ensure safe travel of personnel through cooperation, safeguard the stability of global industrial and supply chains, and contribute to epidemic prevention and global economic recovery through international solidarity."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.