<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">Around a dozen countries have slapped fresh travel regulations on travellers from China, as the world's most populous nation faces a surge in Covid cases following its decision to relax strict virus restrictions.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here is a run-down of the countries that have imposed mandatory Covid tests and other rules on arrivals from China:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">- United States -</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">As of January 5, the United States will require negative Covid tests taken within two days of departure -- or documentation proving passengers have recovered from the virus within the last 90 days -- for all entries from China.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Acceptable tests include "a PCR test or an antigen self-test administered and monitored by a telehealth service or a licensed provider", according to the US Centers for Disease Control.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The rules include those travelling from Hong Kong and Macau.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- European Union -</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Starting January 5, all those arriving in France from China must present a negative PCR test result, or a rapid antigen test, that was taken less than 48 hours before their flight.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">Italy and Spain have also imposed Covid test requirements.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">European countries are set to meet this week to discuss a joint response to the issue, with incoming EU presidency holder Sweden saying it was "seeking a common policy for the entire EU when it comes to the introduction of possible entry restrictions".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- Australia</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Australia is also requiring travellers from China -- including Hong Kong and Macau -- to provide a negative Covid-19 test before arrival, citing a "lack of comprehensive information" from Beijing about the outbreak.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- Canada -</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Canada is asking travellers arriving from China to show a negative Covid test taken no more than two days before their departure.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- United Kingdom -</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In rules that come into effect on January 5, all travellers to the UK from China must submit a negative test before boarding.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The UK government also said it would test "a sample of arrivals" to monitor for new variants.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- Israel -</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Israel is requiring Covid tests on foreigners intending to travel from China, with a screening centre set up to test arrivals who volunteered.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- Japan -</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Japan was one of the first countries to impose new rules on arrivals from China, requiring them to submit a negative Covid test.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Those who test positive will be quarantined for seven days at designated facilities and Tokyo will also cap flights coming from mainland China.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- South Korea -</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">South Korea has also taken steps to screen travellers from China, requiring them to provide a negative Covid test before and after arrival.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Travellers from Hong Kong and Macau are exempt from the rules.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- India -</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">India will require travellers from China and a spate of other Asian countries to provide a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of departure to the country.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- Morocco -</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The north African nation of Morocco has taken some of the strictest measures, banning entry outright for all travellers from China.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The ban will take effect on January 3 and last until further notice, "in order to avoid a new wave of contaminations in Morocco and all its consequences", the country's foreign ministry said. AFP</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>