Covid-19: WHO requests more data on Covid deaths from China as 10 countries apply travel restrictions

Covid-19: The United Kingdom and France have joined India, the United States, and a number of other countries in requiring Covid tests for Chinese visitors, as the World Health Organization urged Beijing to provide more data and regular updates on the alarming coronavirus situation following the repeal of the zero-Covid policy.

Passengers flying from China to England beginning January 5 must present a negative Covid pre-departure test (PDT) taken no more than two days before departure. Despite the fact that there are no direct flights from China to Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, the government stated that it is working with the regions to ensure that this is implemented across the UK as quickly as feasible.

According to the UK government, these procedures are "precautionary and transitory" in order to improve the country's ability to detect potential new variations from China.

China has been subjected to required testing in India, the United States, Japan, Italy, and Taiwan. For immigrants from China, France, Spain, South Korea, and Israel all demand confirmation of a negative test.

50% OF Chinese travelers in Milan test positive

Days after Italy began testing Chinese visitors, it was discovered that 50% of travellers tested positive for Covid at Milan airport, confirming the spread of the infection in China. The Milan tests are being sequenced to check whether there are any new variations. If a new strain is discovered, officials may impose harsher restrictions on exiting the country.

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WHO asks for Covid data

China has referred to its Covid statistics as "transparent," despite the fact that official figures from China have grown untrustworthy due to insufficient testing. Amid criticism for discontinuing regular Covid counts, Chinese officials and World Health Organization experts met on Friday to discuss the present Covid situation.
The World Health Organization requested China to disclose more statistics on genetic sequencing, hospitalisations, fatalities, and immunisations during the online meeting.

“WHO again asked for regular sharing of specific and real-time data on the epidemiological situation — including more genetic sequencing data, data on disease impact including hospitalisations, ICU admissions and deaths —and data on vaccinations delivered and vaccination status, especially in vulnerable people and those over 60 years old,” the global health body said in a statement.

WHO also urged China to improve viral sequencing, clinical management, and impact assessment, and stated its willingness to assist in these areas.

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WHO defends travel restrictions by countries

"The true objective is to disrupt China's three years of Covid control efforts and damage the country's system," the state-run newspaper Global Times wrote late Thursday in a piece, calling the limitations "unfounded" and "discriminatory."
However, the WHO has endorsed countries that have imposed travel restrictions on Chinese immigrants, stating that "In the absence of comprehensive information from China, it is understandable that countries around the world are acting in ways that they believe may protect their populations." 

When China, a country of 1.4 billion people, abruptly decided to stop the zero-Covid policy, the number of cases skyrocketed. Domestic vaccines were ineffective, and there was less natural immunity, which encouraged this spike as the Chinese government proceeded to relax restrictions, especially those on travel ahead of New Year.

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