EU strongly recommends travelers from China to take Covid test before entering Europe

European nations are looking at new travel requirements from China after Beijing lifted Covid restrictions.

Fears of an increase in Covid cases prompted European nations to recommend new restrictions on Chinese travelers.

If you're going to one of the 27 EU countries, you'll need to present a negative Covid test before you leave China. They might be asked to wear facial masks on the flights and be tested on their arrival.

The EU agreed on a precautionary approach in the light of the Covid-19 developments in China, according to a statement issued Wednesday.

Individual governments have the power to regulate health policy. It's up to the capitals to decide. Several EU nations have taken steps to protect themselves against new cases from China.

The officials in China criticized the testing requirements and threatened to retaliate. The U.S., India, U.K., Japan and Australia have all made it harder for people from China to travel.

Italy was one of the first EU countries to take action in the aftermath of Beijing abandoning strict measures that were in place for much of the epidemic.

Rome, one of the hardest hit by the Pandemic, ordered testing last week. Both France and Spain took the same stance.

The European Commission wants to coordinate rules in the region.

Chinese authorities said in December that they would issue visas again. Travelers arriving in China will no longer be required to stay in a sanitarian facility.

China has experienced a rise in Covid infections since November and there are concerns about the level of immunization. The omicron variant of the vaccine has not been updated, despite the fact that the country has nine vaccines developed domestically.

The European Commission offered to send vaccines to China, but they haven't received a response yet.

The EU reached out through its delegation in Beijing to offer solidarity and support, including through sharing of public health expertise and variant-adapted EU vaccine donations, according to the commission spokesman.

China has established the world's largest production lines of Covid vaccines with an annual production capacity of over 7 billion doses and an annual output of over 5 billion doses.

She said that China's Covid situation is under control.

European officials recommended pre-flight testing for travelers from China.