EU will try again to coordinate on China Covid policies

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union nations will try again on Wednesday to mold a coordinated approach on if and how authorities should check incoming airline passengers from China for any new COVID-19 variants after several member nations announced individual efforts over the past week.

Belgium stated late Monday that it will be testing the water from Chinese planes to determine if there are any potential dangers. It stated that visitors from China would be encouraged to take the COVID-19 test if they feel unwell.

Frank Vandenbroucke, Belgian Minister of Health, said that there should be more, but only if the 27 member states take a coordinated approach. “It would be a good signal toward China if all EU nations would say together: ’If you come to Europe you have to be tested first,” he told VRT network.

Sweden, the rotating EU presidency, announced that officials from member states will meet on Wednesday for an Integrated Political Crisis Response meeting to determine if entry requirements are required throughout the bloc.

“It is important that we get the necessary measures in place quickly,” said Swedish Health Minister Jakob Forssmed.

France, Spain, Italy and Italy are already taking independent steps to strengthen COVID-19 protections for Chinese passengers.

France’s government is requiring negative tests, and is urging French citizens to avoid nonessential travel to China. France has also reinstated mask requirements for flights between China and France.

Spain’s government said it would require all air passengers coming from China to have negative tests or proof of vaccination. Italy was the first EU member to require coronavirus testing for passengers flying from China. However, several other countries have suggested that such measures may not be the best way to protect local populations as new strains of coronavirus have been known to exist in Europe for months.

Wednesday saw the United States announce new COVID-19 requirements for all Chinese travelers. This is in addition to restrictions imposed by some Asian countries due to an increase in infections.