The EU's crisis response mechanism IPCR "strongly urges" EU member states to Covid-test incoming travelers from China, according to a statement from Wednesday's meeting.
The IPCR statement, which is advisory and not legally binding, was prepared by experts from EU member states on Wednesday. It states that the IPCR now strongly urges countries to introduce requirements for negative Covid tests among travelers from China.
During the meeting, the members also agreed to ”recommend” that travelers to and from China should wear face masks, the Swedish EU presidency wrote in the statement. The member states also agree to provide health and hygiene advice to both passengers and staff at airports and aircraft.
The spread of infection in China has increased, and as the country eases its own travel restrictions, concerns are growing that new virus variants will spread. Several countries have or will introduce requirements for negative Covid tests, including the UK, France, Israel, the US, Spain, Italy, Japan and South Korea.
The EU's agreement on any entry rules is crucial to the effect. Sara Byfors, head of unit at the Swedish Public Health Agency, said on Tuesday that it does not make sense if only Sweden introduces requirements for negative tests.
However, the EU's disease control agency ECDC writes on its website that the variants circulating in China are already present within the EU and are not critical for residents here.
Member states will hold a new IPCR meeting in mid-January, for a new assessment of the situation.
Source: TT-DI.SE
