Countries To Bring Back Covid Tests For Foreign Arrivals Other Than India 

Coronavirus has made yet another comeback to our lives with cases in some countries touching the zenith. Nobody wants a repeat of the disruption of economic activities, so every country across the world has started taking measures to nip the problem in the bud. So, today we will look into the countries that have brought back RT PCR Tests for international arrivals apart from India. 

Japan 

Come December 30, the country will yet again conduct mandatory testing on arrival for visitors from China as a result of the spike in the number of positive cases over there, as per Kyodo news agency. The rule will be binding on travellers from mainland China, and others who have been to the country in the last seven days. Travellers testing positive on arrival at the airport will be quarantined for seven days. 

Taiwan 

Even Taiwan will be performing tests on individuals coming from China for Covid-19 starting January 1, 2023, due to the surge in Covid cases in the latter country. Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Centre has clarified that all passengers coming on direct flights from China, as well as by boat to two offshore islands, have to go through PCR immediately after arriving. The security steps, touted to run till January end, will be spared for people coming from Hong Kong or Macau. Those testing positive will be directed to isolate at home. 

Italy 

Italy is also going for Covid tests for travellers from China following an increase in cases in Beijing, the health minister said recently. The northern region of the country, Lombardy, restarted screening from December 27 onwards, a day before the rule was imposed nationwide. Lombardy happened to be the first region to implement a lockdown when the coronavirus spread its tentacles in Europe in early 2020. The country will be testing travellers from China at Milan’s Malpensa airport till January 30, as per the foreign ministry. 

The United States 

The United States has also mandated negative Covid tests from people coming via air from China after the recent spurt in coronavirus cases in Beijing, health officials said. Starting January 5, each air passenger two years and above originating from China must perform the test at least two days prior to their departure from China, Hong Kong and Macau. The outcome of the tests should not be positive, authorities in The US have clarified. 

The United Kingdom 

As per Telegraph, the country is planning to lay down Covid-19 curbs for people coming from China, including tests. The Department for Transport, Home Office and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) will decide shortly as to whether the UK should have Covid restrictions for travellers from China, the report stated further. 

South Korea  

The country has said recently that it would make Covid-19 tests a must for people coming from China. South Korea will even put a lid on issuing short-term visas for Chinese nationals until the end of the next month and temporarily bring down flight frequency from China. 

From January 5 onwards, travellers from China will have to furnish a negative PCR test result, which should not be more than 48 hours old, or a rapid antigen test has to be undertaken within 24 hours prior to departure and go through an additional PCR test after arrival beginning January 2. 

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