
The European Union (EU) has urged people travelling from China to take pre-departure Covid-19 tests, amid an increase in Covid-19 positive cases.
In a meeting, EU officials underlined the requirement of a negative Covid-19 report for all passengers coming from China, The Guardian reported.
Sweden, the current holder of the EU council’s rotating presidency, said: “The member states are strongly encouraged to introduce, from all passengers departing from China to member states, the requirement for a negative Covid-19 test taken not more than 48 hours prior to departure from China.”
At the meeting held in the ‘integrated political crisis response’ format, the EU officials also recommended passengers on flights to and from China wear FFP2 or other medical masks.
Additionally, the member states supported the move to conduct random Covid-19 tests for passengers arriving from China and to sequence all positive results to strengthen surveillance across the bloc, according to the news publication.
The EU member states have also agreed to review the measures later this month.

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By GlobalDataEarlier this week, the Swedish Government planned to implement a negative Covid-19 test requirement for travellers from China.
Sweden Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed said: “The Government has instructed the Public Health Agency of Sweden to analyse the situation in China and the consequences for Sweden and to propose measures, including possible entry restrictions.
“We are prepared for different scenarios and are in ongoing dialogue with the Public Health Agency of Sweden.”