[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] On the 28th (local time), the U.S. government officially formalized entry regulations requiring travelers from China to submit a negative COVID-19 test certificate.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), starting from the 5th of next month, all travelers aged 2 and above entering the U.S. from China, Macao, and Hong Kong will be required to submit a negative COVID-19 test certificate. This must be a PCR or rapid antigen test conducted within two days prior to boarding the plane. Travelers from China transiting through the U.S. will also be required to present a negative test certificate before arrival.
The CDC explained that this measure is "to prevent the spread within the U.S. amid the COVID-19 outbreak, as the Chinese government is not providing appropriate and transparent epidemiological information." Prior to the U.S., countries such as India, Japan, Taiwan, and Italy have also mandated COVID-19 testing for travelers from China.
China, having ended its 'Zero COVID' policy, plans to lift facility quarantine for overseas arrivals and normalize the issuance of passports to its citizens starting from the 8th of next month. Consequently, there is growing speculation that a large number of Chinese tourists may embark on 'revenge travel,' raising concerns about a possible surge in confirmed cases worldwide.
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