Spain to ask travelers from China for COVID-19 tests or vaccination proof

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ISTANBUL (AA) - Spain will ask travelers from China to submit a negative COVID-19 test or prove they have been fully vaccinated, Health Minister Carolina Darias said on Friday.

Spain joins Italy, the US, and Japan in imposing the requirement for people coming from China, which is facing an explosive spike in infections after dumping its strict “zero-COVID” policy this month.

The EU, however, has not yet taken a decision on stricter rules for travelers from China.

The bloc’s Health Security Committee held urgent discussions on Thursday to iron out a cohesive policy for member states, with a statement after the meeting saying that talks will continue.

Following growing discontent and unprecedented protests in parts of the country, China has started easing its stringent pandemic measures, saying it was shifting its focus from stopping virus transmission to preventing serious infections.

Beijing has also decided to scrap mandatory quarantine for all visitors starting Jan. 8.