Germany, Belgium, and Sweden "Mandatory COVID Testing for Travelers from China"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] European Union (EU) member countries such as Germany, Belgium, and Sweden are successively introducing measures to mandate pre-arrival COVID-19 testing for travelers arriving from China. This follows the EU's strong recommendation to all 27 member states.

According to major foreign media on the 5th (local time), Karl Lauterbach, Germany's Minister of Health, announced plans to change entry regulations to require travelers from China to present at least a negative rapid antigen test result upon entering Germany.

To identify variant viruses, random samples will be taken upon entry for COVID-19 testing, and additional wastewater testing will also be conducted. Previously, Austria announced wastewater testing for all flights arriving from China.

Minister Lauterbach stated, "Germany is expediting the revision of related regulations, but the implementation date is undecided," adding, "We hope the new regulations can apply to the majority of travelers arriving after the Spring Festival (Chunje, Chinese New Year) on the 22nd at the latest."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Sweden will also mandate the submission of a negative COVID-19 test certificate for travelers arriving from China starting from the 7th. However, this does not apply to Swedish citizens, Swedish permanent residents, or long-term residents of the EU and European Economic Area (EEA). This measure will be implemented for three weeks initially.

Belgium plans to require passengers on direct flights from China to submit a negative test certificate before entry starting as early as the 7th, and will conduct wastewater testing on direct flights for the first time.

The day before, the EU announced that it had agreed on an EU-wide "coordinated preventive measure" in response to the spread of COVID-19 in China. The recommendation includes introducing a requirement for all passengers on flights departing from China to present a negative COVID-19 test result within 48 hours before departure, and advising all passengers traveling to and from China to wear medical masks or FFP2, N95, or KN95 masks. Prior to the EU recommendation, countries such as Italy, France, and Spain have independently introduced and conducted COVID-19 testing for travelers arriving from China.