Why are Chinese welcome despite high Covid numbers?

After nearly three years of almost closed borders, China recently announced that the strict quarantine regime will be lifted on January 8, 2023. This makes it easy for tourists to travel back to the Middle Kingdom. Conversely, millions of Chinese may travel abroad again.

However, just at this time, Corona is spreading rapidly in China. Millions of Chinese are infected every day after previously following a zero-Kovid strategy. As a result, various countries impose new requirements for those who actually welcome tourists from China upon entry. These are primarily the neighboring countries of China, but are also the first travel destinations for the Chinese. But also the USA and Italy.

Feared new virus variants

The case of Italy is interesting in that the EU countries have agreed in principle on a common approach to selectively close their borders. If you remember, Italy was hit particularly hard at the start of the Covid crisis in 2020. At that time, it was thought that Chinese tourists brought the virus. Italy is now correspondingly cautious.

Because there are fears that new virus variants may emerge in China. Official Chinese information is considered insufficient by the US health authority CDC. A very high number of infected passengers were also reported from Milan: On 26 December, two planes from China landed there, and 97 of the 210 passengers tested tested positive for Corona.

«Well prepared Swiss people»

Passengers from China are still accepted in Switzerland. When asked by Blick, spokesperson for the Federal Office of Public Health, he clarified that no new measures are currently planned in connection with Covid. According to the current state of knowledge, the predominant Covid variant in China is ohmron. The spokesperson said the virus would “hit a well-prepared Swiss population” if Chinese tourists were to be imported into Switzerland.

Meanwhile, the State Secretariat of Migration is responsible for enforcing entry restrictions to certain countries. “Switzerland – as during the pandemic – will rely on the EU in terms of entry requirements and risk list,” spokesman Lukas Rieder said. This is because Switzerland is part of Schengen and the ability for third-country nationals to enter other European countries via Switzerland undermines European entry regulations. In contrast, entry into Switzerland via another Schengen state could not be prevented.

Geneva health director calls for mandatory testing

The EU is not currently discussing any special measures against travelers from China. Italy entered a unilateral path with its regulations for those coming from China. Switzerland will not do that. It welcomes passengers from China until further notice.

This is not understood by everyone. Geneva health director Mauro Poggia (63), for example, definitely wants to introduce a test requirement for people coming from China. This is against the background that Air China will resume flights between Beijing and Geneva from January 26, 2023.