China Bans Entry Of Foreign Nationals Temporarily, Sharply Slashes International Flights Amid Fears Of Imported Coronavirus Cases

Fearing a second wave of COVID-19 infections, China imposed a temporary ban on foreign nationals entering the country. It will be applicable even for those holding visas or residence permits, according to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The restrictions, applicable for those with APEC business travel cards and foreign tour groups of ASEAN countries under a visa-free policy, will be effective from Saturday, the department said in a statement.

China said it was compelled to take the temporary measure in view of the outbreak situation and the “practices of other countries.” It said it will “stay in close touch with all sides and properly handle personnel exchanges with the rest of the world under the special circumstances. The above-mentioned measures will be calibrated in light of the evolving situation and announced accordingly.”

China has been stressing on limiting aviation activities between the country and foreign lands. Beijing ordered airlines to control the number of international flights, in part because of the 54 new cases in the country in the last three days constituted foreign nationals while there were only three locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, according to Reuters.

On Thursday, 55 new cases were reported, against Wednesday's 67, bringing the total infections to 81,340, while five new deaths raised the toll to 3,292, Reuters reported, citing China’s National Health Commission. The imported infections were reportedly associated to home-bound Chinese nationals.

The total number of infections in China as of Friday was 81,828, with 3,296 total deaths. As many as 74, 719 people have so far recovered from the coronavirus in the country, according to the Johns Hopkins website.