Europe's Covid Cases Likely to Remain Unaffected According to WHO's Assessment on China
The European Union (EU) has advised its 27 member states to consider requiring Covid-19 tests for individuals traveling from China, but no special travel restrictions have been imposed on Chinese visitors specifically due to the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in China.
As it stands, the Schengen Area and other European countries require Chinese visitors to have a visa for stays shorter or longer than 90 days, with standard entry documents required for all non-visa-exempt nationals, including Chinese citizens.
Recent calls for increased precautions come from EU professionals who suggest countries boost their security efforts, including sequencing variants, as several have reduced their abilities in this area. However, these recommendations emphasise the importance of basing preventive steps on scientific research, ensuring they are proportionate, and avoiding discrimination.
Despite the surge in Covid-19 cases in China, no evidence from the latest updates indicates that countries in Europe have reinstated or expanded Covid-19–specific restrictions or quarantine requirements targeting travelers from China. This suggests that the travel environment remains open, facilitating a noticeable increase in Chinese tourists to Europe.
It's worth noting that Chinese citizens are currently able to travel visa-free to China from many European countries, reflecting improving bilateral travel facilitation, but this pertains to entry into China, not Europe itself. Some countries maintain and apply transit visa-free policies for shorter stays (up to 10 days) in specific regions in China, but this is not linked to Europe’s entry rules.
In contrast, more than a dozen nations have implemented new travel policies for visitors from China, but these do not seem to be reflected in the travel policies of the European Union.
In summary, European countries apply normal visa protocols to travelers from China as of mid-2023, and no new Covid-19 travel restrictions or bans targeting Chinese visitors have been reintroduced despite the surge in cases in China. The travel environment is generally open, facilitating a noticeable increase in Chinese tourists to Europe.
"While European Union member states discuss the possibility of Covid-19 tests for travelers from China, it's crucial to prioritize health-and-wellness measures that are grounded in science, such as sequencing variants, to ensure effective handling of medical-conditions like Covid-19."
"In the realm of health-and-wellness and medical-conditions, it's notable that Chinese citizens are enjoying increased travel facilitation from many European countries, suggesting a growing focus on promoting travel and wellness via bilateral agreements."
