There is no point in introducing mandatory Covid tests for travelers from China to Sweden, according to state epidemiologist Anders Lindblom.

A number of countries, such as the USA, Italy, Japan and India, have introduced or will introduce requirements for Covid-19 tests for travelers from China.

This is after China allows foreign travel again while the spread of the infection is accelerating.

But no measures for travelers from China are currently being taken by Sweden, according to state epidemiologist Anders Lindblom at the Swedish Public Health Agency.

”"We have such a large spread of infection in Sweden, Europe and globally, and a very large vaccination coverage. We have such good immunity protection in Sweden that the few people coming from China do not affect the spread of infection in Sweden at the moment."”

What could make the Public Health Agency change its mind on this issue?

”What I could mainly imagine is new variants that could be introduced,” says Anders Lindblom.

There is concern from some quarters that a widespread spread of infection in a country as large as China could give rise to new, more serious variants of Covid-19.

How big that risk is is difficult to determine, according to Lindblom.

”The important thing is to monitor the situation and take action if variants emerge.”

The Public Health Agency is following the data they can get from China, he states.

How do you feel about China not sharing all information about developments there?

”I have a hard time commenting on that right now.”

How serious is the situation in China?

”"They have lower vaccination coverage and lower immunity in the population. It is more severe in China than in Sweden, according to the information we have."”

Source: TT-DI.SE