(WASHINGTON) The United States is considering restrictions on entry for travelers from China, as authorities suddenly eased COVID-19 measures, US officials said Tuesday.
Infections soared across China as the main pillars of the country’s “zero COVID-19” policy since early 2020 were dismantled in a matter of weeks, leading US officials to worry about the risk of new viral variants emerging.
“The international community is increasingly concerned about the current outbreak of COVID-19 in China and the lack of transparent data, including viral genomic sequence data, reported by the People’s Republic of China,” US officials said, speaking anonymously, referring to the People’s Republic of China. . from China.
Beijing has admitted that it is “impossible” to follow the development of the epidemic and has even stopped publishing daily data on the health situation since Sunday. The official figures have come under increasing criticism as the underestimation of cases and deaths has become blatant.
But it is the lack of genetic data that causes the greatest concern abroad, making it “difficult for public health officials to ensure that they will be able to identify any new potential variants and take immediate action to limit the spread,” US officials said.
The United States is “following scientific data and advice from public health experts, and is consulting with partners and considering similar measures.” […] They cited the concerns expressed by the World Health Organization and the actions taken by Japan, India and Malaysia.
Thus, Japan will, starting Friday, restore mandatory PCR tests for travelers from mainland China.
China’s relaxation of anti-COVID-19 measures has put an end to mass testing and long lockdowns and quarantines that have upended supply chains and disrupted trade relations with the rest of the world.
China’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that countries should maintain “scientific and proper” disease controls that “should not affect the normal exchanges of people.”
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