France extends obligatory COVID exams for Chinese language travellers till Feb 15

PARIS (Reuters) – France has prolonged obligatory COVID exams for travellers from China till Feb. 15, a authorities decree revealed on Saturday confirmed.

Whereas Chinese language officers have mentioned infections have peaked, some international consultants have warned about the opportunity of an increase in instances in rural areas much less geared up to take care of them as tens of millions of Chinese language journey for household reunions throughout the Lunar New 12 months vacation.

On Dec. 30, France introduced it might require travellers from China to offer a adverse COVID-19 check end result lower than 48 hours earlier than departure as China eased lockdown guidelines.

The measure, which had been set to final till Jan. 31, imposed exams on all flights from China – together with flights with stopovers – and required travellers on airplanes arriving from China to put on masks.

China deserted its strict “zero COVID” coverage in early December after protests in opposition to the restrictions, permitting individuals to journey and the virus to unfold quickly all through the nation.

French day by day Le Monde first reported publication of the decree.

(Reporting by GV De Clercq; Enhancing by Alison Williams)