What’s new: The Chinese embassy in the United Kingdom has declared Covid-19 test reports issued by the National Health Service (NHS) invalid as health certificates for China-bound travelers due to growing numbers of imported cases from the country.
According to a statement issued by the Chinese embassy on Saturday, the invalidation of negative NHS test results took effect on Nov. 14. Despite stringent travel requirements already being in place, the statement said that several China-bound travelers from the U.K. had recently been confirmed to have the virus after arrival.
Citing U.K. government rules, the statement added that NHS test reports are not applicable as qualification for international travel and that most appointments for testing with the NHS are reserved for individuals who have developed coronavirus symptoms, which may mean healthy people are at risk of cross infection.
The background: The move came about a week after China suspended the entry of inbound travelers with valid visas or resident permits from six countries including the U.K. amid Covid-19 spike.
Non-Chinese nationals from those countries have been denied entry to China even if they currently hold valid visas and residence permits for work, personal matters, and reunion. The relevant Chinese embassies will therefore no longer issue health certificates to such travelers from those countries.
Contact reporter Lu Zhenhua (zhenhualu@caixin.com) and editor Heather Mowbray (heathermowbray@caixin.com)
