- EU “encouraged” member states to test Chinese passengers for COVID-19
- China has threatened the EU of “countermeasures”
- France, Spain, and Italy have already introduced pre-airport flights for Chinese travelers.
The EU “encouraged” member states to test Chinese passengers for COVID-19 before departure. The action might upset Beijing and has been opposed by the global airline industry.
This week: The EU’s Integrated Political Crisis Response group (IPCR), a committee made up of representatives from the EU’s 27 nations, issued the proposal on negative testing
Moreover EU advised:
- All passengers on flights to and from china to wear face mask
- Flights will be tested randomly. and,
- Airports should monitor waste water
The statement comes a day after the European Commission, the EU’s executive body, said that a “overwhelming” majority of member countries support limitations on Chinese travelers.
France, Spain, and Italy have already introduced pre-airport flights for Chinese travelers. On the other hand, Germany has been monitoring the situation. Outside of the EU, England has begun pre-flight testing.
Despite the advice, it’s unknown whether an EU-wide policy will be implemented, although states are allowed to define their own policy.
The IPCR’s proposal represents a shift in strategy from the organization’s disease prevention office, which last week urged against the implementation of mandatory COVID testing.
Regardless of the surge in cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated on Wednesday that there was no proof of new variations in China. however. Experts cautioned that this may be the result of a lack of testing and data.
In the opinion of the WHO (World Health Organization) -A “too narrow” definition of a COVID death has led China to understate the real effect of the disease on the nation.
