China still does not allow the entry of foreign visitors, and has suspended the issuance of visas for international tourists and students.
But the lifting of the mandatory quarantine sparked enormous interest among Chinese people in traveling abroad, after being largely confined to their own country since Beijing imposed restrictions in March 2020.
Italy announced Wednesday that it will require coronavirus tests for those arriving from China.
In turn, French President Emmanuel Macron called for “adequate measures to protect” its population, and assured that his government is monitoring “the evolution of the situation in China.”
The European Commission should meet on Thursday to discuss “possible measures for a coordinated approach” by the European Union to infections in the Asian country.
China relaxes its strict ‘covid zero’ policy
“Discriminatory” measures
Chinese at Beijing’s international airport were generally sympathetic on Thursday to the measures.
“It’s good to see our borders reopen,” said a passenger going to Budapest.
“Each country has its own policies. We follow them and go where we need to go,” he added.
But a 22-year-old man surnamed Hu called the rules unnecessary and “a bit discriminatory.”
“Our covid policy for international arrivals applies equally,” he noted, “why do other countries have to give travelers from China special treatment?”
Another man named Qiu Yilong admitted in central Beijing that travelers must accept the rules because “there is no choice.”