China: Authorities to ease international travel restrictions from June 8 /update 65

Event

Chinese authorities have announced that 95 foreign airlines will be permitted to resume commercial flights to Chinese destinations from Monday, June 8, following a suspension of flights due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Airlines are to be permitted to operate one flight a week into China and can choose from a list of cities provided by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), provided they were already licensed to operate the route prior to the flight ban. Airlines that successfully screen out positive COVID-19 cases prior to arrival in China for three consecutive weeks will be permitted to operate a second weekly flight. Airlines that operate a flight with five or more positive cases will be suspended from operating flights for a week, and flights with ten or more cases will see the airline suspended for four weeks.

The CAAC previously authorized the resumption of charter flights from seven countries on May 28, in order to allow skilled workers to enter China in an attempt to stimulate the country's economy. The countries affected by the decision are Singapore, Japan, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Switzerland. South Korea had previously been granted this permission in early May.

As of Sunday, June 7, there have been 84,186 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in China, with 4638 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay. To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.