Australia to require negative Covid report for China arrivals

Sydney, Australia, Jan 1 (EFE).- The government of Australia announced on Sunday that from Jan.5, passengers arriving from China, Hong Kong and Macau will have to test negative for the coronavirus before beginning their journey.

The travelers will have test negative within 48 hours before boarding their flight.

With this measure, the Australia seeks to protect itself from the wave of infections in China and the risk of new variants appearing in its territory, Health Minister Mark Butler said in a statement.

“The decision to implement these temporary measures has been made out of an abundance of caution, taking into account the dynamic and evolving situation in China and the potential for new variants to emerge in an environment of high transmission,” said Butler.

“This small but sensible move will help to protect people who are at risk of severe illness and safeguard our healthcare system,” he added.

The measure comes into effect ahead of the start of the Lunar New Year celebrations on Jan.22, a period that witnesses large number of Chinese people traveling both within and outside the country.

Several surveys conducted by the health authorities in China indicate that up to 60 percent of the population in some localities has contracted Covid. EFE

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