Beijing on Tuesday condemned a dozen countries’ imposition of Covid-19 tests on travelers from China, warning it could take “countermeasures” in retaliation.
“Some countries have introduced entry restrictions aimed only at Chinese travelers. It has no scientific basis and some practices are unacceptable,” said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning, adding that China could “take countermeasures based on the principle of reciprocity.”
Since 2020, China has largely kept its borders closed to foreigners. The country has stopped issuing tourist visas for almost three years and has imposed a mandatory quarantine on entry. This isolation measure will be lifted on January 8, but a screening test of less than 48 hours is required before arriving on Chinese territory. The move coincides with the expected and gradual resumption of overseas travel by Chinese people after three years of frustration.
In the name of the precautionary principle, a dozen countries have decided to impose PCR tests on travelers from China hit by a wave of Covid-19 cases. Morocco has simply banned all travelers from China “regardless of nationality” from entering its territory.