Big picture: The CDC’s decision comes amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in China. China recently eased travel restrictions and opened its borders for international travel.
- The CDC said it was concerned about slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the United States, citing “adequate and non-transparent” data on reported outbreaks from China.
- Officials also want to prevent any variant of the concern from leaking into the country.
detail: Effective January 5, 12:01am ET, all passengers from China aged 2 years and older will be required to undergo a negative PCR or antigen self-test at least 2 days prior to departure from China, Hong Kong or Macau. I have. According to the CDC.
- The CDC said this applies regardless of nationality or vaccination status.
- It also applies to travelers traveling from China via a third country or connecting to another country via the United States.
- Airlines must confirm that all passengers have tested negative before boarding. Otherwise, travelers can be denied boarding, according to the CDC.
context: Chinese people, who until earlier this month were under strict travel restrictions due to COVID, are flocking out of the country. Airline ticket sales have soared since China lifted quarantine and testing requirements for incoming travelers.
- But China is also dealing with a lethal surge in COVID-19 cases by lifting restrictions nationwide.
- The CDC says the lack of accurate data from China will make it more difficult for federal health officials to identify the variant of concern when it occurs.
Notable: The US isn’t the only country watching what’s happening to travelers from China.
- Italian health officials have announced they will start testing all arrivals from China for COVID-19 after about 50% of passengers on two flights to Milan were found to have the virus, according to Bloomberg. did.
- German health officials also said they were monitoring the situation, Bloomberg reports.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with additional details.