No need for negative Covid result from Chinese travellers – New Zealand Minister
On Wednesday, the New Zealand government said it doesn’t require Chinese travellers to produce a negative COVID-19 test result, as public health risk assessment concludes that Chinese nationals would not increase the cases in the country.
New Zealand’s COVID-19 minister, Ayesha Verrall, made the statement, adding that there is a minimal public health risk to New Zealand. This report came as a shock and a counter to the trending approach that has seen several nations implement restriction measures as cases surge in China.
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Many countries, including Britain, the United States, and Australia, have demanded that travellers from China produce a negative COVID-19 test over concerns about the scale of the country’s outbreak and skepticism over Beijing’s health statistics. Chinese state media has criticised the move as discriminatory irrespective of the fact that infections in China have spiked after the country dropped its strict zero-cases policy on Dec 7, allowing the virus to spread.
New Zealand has taken a different measure as they asked all international arrivals in New Zealand to test if they become symptomatic, and the country provides free tests at the airport. Also, officials will ask some travellers from China to do voluntary tests to gather more information, which Verrall said reflected New Zealand’s concern alongside that of the World Health Organization about China’s lack of information sharing.
New Zealand plans to test wastewater on international flights to see if this can replace targeted and voluntary testing of individuals and create a more welcoming atmosphere to the curbing measures.
Reuters/S.O
