Most of the world's countries have lifted the Covid-19 travel restrictions. In particular, China also did this. Find out which countries have been forced to resume quarantine measures for travelers from China and who they affect

The number of international trips is gradually increasing in the world. Many countries are lifting quarantine restrictions that were introduced in connection with the COVID-19 epidemic, including China. The country's borders were closed for almost three years, and the bans became the strictest in the world. However, in early January, the Chinese government approved the first relaxations.

Instead, the massive increase in tourists from China forced many countries around the world to resume quarantine measures. The prerequisites for such actions and restrictions for tourists are discussed in more detail below.

Why are countries concerned about the increase in the number of travelers from China?

In the last weeks of 2022, amid protests from citizens, the Chinese government quickly canceled its strict rules regarding the COVID-19 epidemic. The sudden lifting of restrictions caused a new wave of infections in the country. New cases of illness and death from the coronavirus are being registered in China every day.

In turn, the international community is concerned about the prolonged outbreaks of the COVID-19 epidemic in China and the likelihood of a second pandemic. Taking these factors into account, some European and Asian countries have decided to renew quarantine restrictions for Chinese tourists.

Already now, the first tests demonstrate that such measures are justified. For example, in Italy, passengers arriving from Beijing and Shanghai began to be tested at Milan's main airport on December 26. The results showed that almost every second passenger was infected with the disease. India's health ministry said the country has detected a total of 11 new variants of COVID-19 in international travelers who arrived here between December 24 and January 3.

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Which countries have already introduced new COVID restrictions?

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reports that more than 30 countries have already introduced quarantine restrictions for tourists arriving from the People's Republic of China. Basically, these are the countries of Asia and Europe.

In the EU, rules for Chinese travelers have been tightened in Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. Countries require mandatory pre-departure PCR testing or proof of vaccination. Additional measures include wearing masks on board, introducing enhanced disinfection of aircraft, mandatory vaccination for crew members and selective PCR testing of arrivals.

In addition to Europe, similar restrictions have worked in Australia, Canada, India, Israel, Malaysia, Morocco, Qatar, South Korea, Taiwan and the USA.

It is worth noting that quarantine measures apply not only to citizens of the PRC, but to all tourists arriving from China.

Many experts worry that such restrictions will hinder the recovery of the global tourism industry, because before the pandemic, China was the largest source of foreign tourists for its Asian neighbors and an important market for Europe and the United States. Before the start of the pandemic, Chinese tourists spent more than $250 billion annually abroad.