iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
Eldest son of King Abdullah II will marry Saudi fiancee with regional monarchs, US First Lady Jill Biden and the king of the Netherlands among the guests
KT APPDOWNLOAD
Covid test requirement lifted for travellers from China to US
The rule that came into effect on January 5 said it was necessary to protect US citizens and communities
Chinese police officers monitor a junction as a dust storm sweep by in Beijing. — AP
A requirement that travellers to the US from China present a negative Covid-19 test before boarding their flights expired on Friday after more than two months as cases in China have fallen.
The restrictions were put in place on December 28 and took effect on January 5 amid a surge in infections in China after the nation sharply eased pandemic restrictions and as US health officials expressed concerns that their Chinese counterparts were not being truthful to the world about the true number of infections and deaths. The requirement from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expired for flights leaving after 3pm Eastern time on Friday.
When the restriction was imposed, US officials also said it was necessary to protect US citizens and communities because there was a lack of transparency from the Chinese government about the size of the surge or the variants that were circulating within China.
The rules imposed in January required travellers to the US from China, Hong Kong and Macau to take a Covid-19 test no more than two days before travel and provide a negative test before boarding their flight. The testing applies to anyone 2 years and older, including US citizens.
China saw infections and deaths surge after it eased back from its “zero Covid” strategy in early December after rare public protests against a policy that confined millions of people to their homes and sparked protests and demands for President Xi Jinping to resign.
But as China eased its strict rules, infections and deaths surged, and parts of the country for weeks saw their hospitals overwhelmed by infected patients looking for help. Still, the Chinese government has been slow to release data on the number of deaths and infections.
The US decision to lift restrictions comes at a moment when US-China relations are strained. Biden ordered a Chinese spy balloon shot down last month after it traversed the continental United States. The Biden administration has also publicised US intelligence findings that raise concern Beijing is weighing providing Russia weaponry for its ongoing war on Ukraine.
More news from World
The Republican Senator says he will continue to stand with and for Ukraine’s freedom
The painful condition isn’t just caused by racket swings, and can sideline you from activity. But a few simple tips can get you back into the game
He was attacked by two robbers while returning from work
He ridiculed his challenger for his loss, saying “bye bye bye, Kemal,” as supporters booed
Kemal Kilicdaroglu has 47.7 percent, the Anadolu state news agency reported
The gap between two candidates was expected to narrow as more, larger ballot boxes are opened in cities
German Foreign Ministry calls the upcoming expulsions a unilateral, unjustified and incomprehensible decision