While China is being blamed globally for COVID19 pandemic, the Xi Jinping administration has banned travellers from Coronavirus-hit Belgium and the United Kingdom
While the Chinese government has banned entry of travellers from the UK and Belgium, it has also set strict testing requirements for United States, French and German citizens.
The Chinese administration has apparently imposed the fresh restrictions because of fresh spike of coronavirus cases in Western Europe and the US.
The Chinese embassy in Brussels released a statement announcing restrictions on travellers from Belgium, which has Europe’s highest per capita number of new COVID19 positive cases.
Similarly, China suspended entry of non-Chinese nationals travelling from the UK, even if they hold valid visas and residence permits.
China is probably worried as Britain’s death toll is the highest in Europe, and is under lockdown.
Initially in March, China had banned entry of all foreigners because of the global pandemic. The restriction was withdrawn on September 28 and had allowed all foreigners with valid residence permits to enter.
From Friday, all passengers from the US, France and Germany must take a nucleic acid test and a blood test for antibodies against the coronavirus. The tests must be done no more than 48 hours before boarding.
If the passenger needs to make a transit stop en route to China, the same tests must be done in the transit country or region.
From Sunday, the new testing protocol will be imposed on travellers from Australia, Singapore and Japan.