China: The National Health Commission of China has announced that the country will drop COVID-19 quarantine requirements for passengers arriving from abroad starting January 8 as part of easing the once-strict virus-control measures.

The measure is the latest in a series of restrictions to be lifted as China gives up its “zero-COVID” policy.

Since March 2020, all passengers arriving in China have had to undergo mandatory quarantine. Currently, arriving passengers are required to quarantine for five days at a hotel, followed by three days at home. Earlier, there was a requirement to quarantine for three weeks.

While commenting on the changes, President Mr. Xi Jinping urged officials to do what was “feasible” to save lives.

According to the health commission, steps would be taken to make it easier for some foreigners to enter the country. As a result, Chinese citizens would be gradually allowed to travel abroad for tourism again, which is an important source of revenue for hotels and related businesses in many countries.

The department further added that “people coming to China will still need a negative virus test 48 hours before departure, and passengers will be required to wear protective masks on board planes.”

Under the new rules, COVID will be downgraded from a Class A infectious disease to a Class B infectious disease, meaning that quarantine will no longer be enforced.

China abruptly dropped many of its pandemic restrictions recently, leading to widespread COVID outbreaks and the swamping of hospital emergency facilities and funeral homes.

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