BEIJING (CHINA) – Mainland China has barred entry to some travellers from Britain and Belgium. It has set strict testing requirements for visitors from the United States, France and Germany, as it reimplemented border restrictions.
The Chinese embassy in Britain said on Wednesday that China has temporarily suspended non-Chinese nationals travelling from the United Kingdom from entering even if they hold valid visas and residence permits.
The Chinese embassy in Belgium released a similar statement imposing restrictions on travellers from Belgium.
The barring of non-Chinese travellers from Britain came in the wake of England imposing a month-long lockdown starting Thursday.
Starting Nov. 6, all passengers from the United States, France and Germany bound for mainland China are required to take a nucleic acid test and a blood test for antibodies against the coronavirus.
Linyi Li, a Chinese national, had planned to fly from Seattle to China in mid-November, however, it was changed to a flight on Nov. 6 to circumvent the rule.
Li said, “The tickets were sold out in seconds, as people were all scrambling to beat the deadline. I’ve been rushing to sell many of my family belongings in the past days in case I can’t get back to the States.”
Similar requirements were imposed on travellers from countries such as Australia, Singapore and Japan, from Nov. 8.
The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China said it saw no reason to make changes in the current system.
“Unfortunately, while technically leaving the door open, these changes imply a de facto ban on anyone trying to get back to their lives, work and families in China,” it said.
