Austria to impose COVID tests for passengers from China

VIENNA (AA) - Austria announced Thursday that passengers traveling from China will be required to test for the coronavirus.

Health Minister Johannes Rauch said the country decided to implement the PCR-testing requirement for those from China to prevent the spread of possible new virus variants in Austria.

Rauch said the tests will be valid for 48 hours, noting it is necessary in the fight against the virus.

Controls will be carried out by airlines before boarding a plane in China, he said.