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The French authorities have announced that the country has decided to drop the COVID testing requirement and random screenings on arrival for all travellers from China.
According to the French Embassy in Beijing, such a decision was taken after evaluating the current Coronavirus situation in China and concluding that the number of infections has significantly dropped, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
“Travellers from China to France are no longer required to present the result of a negative RT-PCR test within 48 hours or fill a health declaration form. Random screenings on arrival are also abolished,” the statement of the French embassy in Beijing reads.
Earlier in January, France decided to introduce a mandatory test requirement taken 48 hours before departure for all travellers from China over the age of 11. However, following a meeting of EU health experts, the country decided that such measures are no longer necessary.
Health experts from all the EU Member States met last week, on February 11, and agreed to phase out the COVID restrictions for travellers from China.
In this meeting, the health experts reviewed the current epidemiological situation in China, as well as the risk travellers from this country, represent for the bloc and concluded that the situation permits the gradual removal of the restrictions.
Commenting on the matter, the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council said that the EU would continue to monitor the Coronavirus developments in China and take action according to these developments. The same stressed that the measures would be completely lifted for travellers from China by the end of this month.
“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,” the statement of the Council reads.
This means that apart from France, the other EU countries who continue to keep COVID restrictions in place for travellers from China will drop them by the end of this week.
In addition to the above-mentioned, the Council further noted that the Member States have also agreed to gradually remove random testing of travellers from China by the middle of March.
Data provided by World Health Organization show that China has recorded 126,414 new COVID-19 infection cases in the last seven days. During the same period, the country has recorded 449 deaths.
China itself has also relaxed its entry rules for international travellers. The country is currently permitting entry for travellers from different countries without requiring them to undergo strict rules as before.
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