EU Member States Implement Pre-Entry COVID-19 Testing Measures for Arrivals from China

On the 5th, the first day of mandatory registration for the 'Quarantine Information Pre-Entry System' (Q-CODE) for arrivals from China, Hong Kong, and Macau, a notice replaced with Chinese characters reading '?中??的旅客 (travelers from China)' was installed at the arrival hall of Terminal 1 at Incheon International Airport. Photo by Jinhyung Kang, Yeongjongdo aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] Major European countries are introducing mandatory "pre-testing" measures for travelers arriving from China. This follows the European Union (EU) holding an emergency meeting and recommending all 27 member states to require negative COVID-19 test certificates from arrivals originating from China.

Sweden will require travelers coming from China to submit a negative COVID-19 test certificate before entry starting from the 7th of this month. The measure will be implemented for three weeks but excludes Swedish citizens, Swedish permanent residents, and long-term residents of the EU and European Economic Area (EEA).

Belgium's Ministry of Health has also mandated that passengers on direct flights from China must submit a negative test certificate before entry. Belgian authorities explained that the risk of COVID-19 importation is highest from flights originating in China. If necessary, the testing requirements may be extended to connecting flights in the future.

Germany, which had opposed strengthening quarantine measures for flights from China, will also make presenting test results mandatory. German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach stated, "Travelers from China will soon be required to present at least a rapid antigen test result upon entering Germany," adding, "Europe has found a common response to the pandemic situation in China."

France, Italy, and Spain had already tightened entry requirements before the EU recommendation. Travelers from China must comply with stricter conditions such as undergoing COVID-19 testing or submitting proof of vaccination to be allowed entry.

Prior to the EU meeting, member countries including France, Italy, and Spain had independently mandated testing before and after entry or introduced vaccination certificates as entry requirements. Following the EU recommendation, it is expected that each country will prepare and implement corresponding measures.

Additionally, the EU has advised member states to recommend mask-wearing on flights to and from China and to conduct random COVID-19 testing upon arrival of travelers from China in EU member countries.