The US evaluates imposing new rules on passengers from China after the relaxation of anti-covid measures

Washington officials expressed that there is growing concern in the international community about the increase in coronavirus cases in the Asian giant and the lack of transparent data.

The United States is considering imposing restrictions on travelers from China, US officials said Tuesday, after Beijing drastically relaxed tough anti-Covid measures this month.

The United States “follows scientific data and the advice of public health experts, consults with its partners, and considers taking similar steps … to protect the American people,” the officials said on condition of anonymity, citing concerns expressed by the Organization. World Health Organization (WHO) and restrictions adopted by Japan, India and Malaysia.

The Government of the United States would thus join other countries, such as Japan or Malaysia, which in recent days have announced that they will require a negative result in the tests and monitoring and surveillance measures, respectively.

Several US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, have stressed that the Biden Administration is concerned about rising cases in China, raising questions about the transparency of the data being released on the spread of the virus.

Authorities in Beijing have acknowledged that it is impossible to track the outbreak and have removed case counts, in addition to lowering the criteria for counting Covid deaths.

The Chinese regime said on Monday that it would stop requiring incoming travelers to enter quarantine from January 8, after three years of isolation, all due to pressure from society, which staged unusual demonstrations in the country. , in which their discontent with the Covid Zero policy was shown.

China was the country where COVID-19 was first detected and has so far officially confirmed 4.4 million cases and 16,764 deaths. In the last 28 days, 815,995 cases and 787 deaths related to the disease have been reported.

On the other hand, the Chinese authorities announced that they will reissue passports for Chinese citizens traveling abroad for tourism or to visit friends and family, in addition to resuming certain transit visas for international travelers.

The National Immigration Administration specified in a statement that the resumption of these procedures as of January 8, 2023 will optimize the Asian giant’s immigration management policies and measures.

The publication of the immigration authorities confirms that Chinese residents will be able to enjoy international tourism again in an “orderly manner” as of 2023 by accepting and approving the processing of new passports for citizens of the country. In addition, mainland Chinese residents will again be able to benefit from visa processing to visit Hong Kong for tourism and business.