EU doesn't follow Italy with COVID checks on China arrivals

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said the surge was "not expected to impact" the EU because:

High levels of Covid in China are anticipated given the country's low immunity and recent relaxation of its rules

But higher immunity in the EU means a Covid surge in China is not expected to impact the bloc

The Covid-19 variants circulating in China are already circulating in the EU

Potential imported infections from China are "rather low" compared to the number of infections already occurring in the EU

And citizens in the bloc have relatively high vaccination and immunisation

That is a reassuring evaluation by experts as sequencing indicates the variants detected in passengers arriving from China are already in circulation in Europe, somewhat easing fears that a new variant from China could start running amok in Europe

Basically, everywhere else has higher immunity than China. So why is the country so unprepared? Zero covid couldn't last for ever. But anyone with an iota of Chinese history knowledge knows this is not surprising.

Well done everywhere else for pushing through a success immunisation programme!!!

More than 50% of people screened upon arrival at Milan’s Malpensa airport in recent days tested positive for the virus.

So, the sick Chinese are still willing to fly even though infected, just as the start of the pandemic?

Italians were decimated by Covid at the start of the pandemic in Europe with Italian doctors warning of worse to come-they were right!

The Italian outbreak was linked to the fashion industry there which has strong contacts with China.

In China right now, everybody seems very healthy.

Bronco - What would you recommend with regard to the Ukrainian refugees?

Bronco - What would you recommend with regard to the Ukrainian refugees?

The photo of Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni at the top says it all!!! WTF. Lol.

The Chinese obviously don’t care, so why should the EU? ?!?!?!?!

Italy has a lot of Chinese, so the problem is generally bigger there than elsewhere within the EC. However, I guess the all-or-nothing approach is what's at play here. For example, Chinese could simply fly into Germany and travel to Italy....

But... and a big but here... if COVID cases increase along with a new strain, as a direct result of Chinese visiting, then Italy will clearly point the finger at Brussels, and opinion may start going against an EU as it is at present... a break of the EU could follow... something Russia has been working on for a long time....

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni on Thursday increased pressure on the EU to join Italy's approach. She said requiring COVID tests of all passengers from China “is only effective if it is taken at the European level,’’ noting that many arrive in Italy on connecting flights through other European countries.

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Italy is trying to protect it self, but the rest of european countries goverments do not seem to care.

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Considering the reluctance from several EU nations and experts, the EU's health security committee said in a statement after meeting Thursday that “we need to act jointly and will continue our discussions.”

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Italy seems to be alone as it acts to protect itself, but is being hampered by other EU countries carelessness.

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Holding off was certainly something Germany wanted. "There is no indication that a more dangerous variant has developed in this outbreak in China ... which would bring corresponding travel restrictions,” Health Ministry spokesman Sebastian Guelde said.

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And when there is an indication of a more dangerous strain from China, it will be too late.

China is having mass infections and that could result in new strain/s being created and spread.

The EU should do what other countries (and Italy is doing and wants the EU to do) are doing when they test ones arriving on Chinese flights.

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Test the ones coming in and catch a possible new strain before it escapes into the EU and spread across the rest of europe and further afield.

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When 50% flying in from China are infected with current strains, when will a new strain arrive with them ?

It has already mutated several times already.

Italy invented the 'Hug a Chinese person' movement 3 years ago as a daft way to counter perceived xeonophobia. I see they've had second thoughts.

Italy invented the 'Hug a Chinese person' movement 3 years ago as a daft way to counter perceived xeonophobia. I see they've had second thoughts.

Lot happened in 3 years. A facist xenophobe was elected leader. You know, the woman in the photo above.

The EU has it right this time.

And they should---they are very well-vaccinated aren't they?