Travelers from China will have to present a Covid test to enter Germany, as already demanded by several countries worried about the outbreak of the epidemic, announced Thursday January 5 the Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach.
Those passengers will need to present "
at least one rapid antigen test
" to enter Germany, he said in a statement.
In addition, “
random samples
” will be carried out to detect possible variants of the virus, he added, following the recommendation of the European Union prescribed this Wednesday.
European recommendations
At the end of this meeting of experts intended to develop a coordinated European response, EU Member States were "
strongly encouraged
" to require all travelers coming from China to present a negative Covid test dating back to less than 48 hours.
Read alsoIn China, everything depends on the release of the Covid
China is facing an unprecedented wave of contamination for three years, to which the government has responded with strict containment measures.
Despite this rebound, authorities will end mandatory quarantines on arrival in China on Sunday and again allow Chinese people to travel abroad, after three years of frustration.
As a precaution, a dozen countries including the United States, Japan and France have already decreed identical measures.
Beijing on Tuesday condemned the imposition of Covid tests by certain countries, deeming them "
unacceptable
" and threatening "
countermeasures
".
In addition, the WHO denounces the controversial methods of Beijing to count the victims of Covid.
Although Chinese hospitals are overwhelmed and crematoriums full, authorities are reporting very few Covid-19-related deaths.
SEE ALSO
- Covid-19 tests on Chinese travelers: "
Unacceptable
" for Beijing, possible "
countermeasures
"