US to require travelers from China to show negative COVID test results: reports

By Betul Yuruk

NEW YORK (AA) - The US will require travelers from China to show negative COVID-19 test results as part of new coronavirus precautions as of Jan. 5, US media reported Wednesday.

The move by the US officials comes amid an alarming rise in infections in China.

US officials raised concerns earlier about the transparency of data coming from China about new coronavirus cases.

Travelers flying from China to the US will need a negative test no more than 48 hours before their flight, according to media reports citing federal health officials.

China announced a further easing of coronavirus management as of Jan. 8, with the National Health Commission (NHC) saying Beijing will also not impose a quarantine on those entering the country.

The NHC stopped releasing statistics for asymptomatic cases earlier this month.

The world’s most populous nation also dumped its strict “zero-COVID” policy this month, following unrest and unprecedented protests in parts of the country.