China shifts focus to overseas travellers

nBEIJING: China’s imported coronavirus cases have risen to a record 228, data showed on Friday, as infected travellers spread to ever more provinces, adding pressure on authorities to toughen entry rules and health protocols.

For a second day in a row, China found no domestically transmitted cases of the virus. All 39 new cases were “imported”. The death toll in the country now stands at 3,248. The total number of infections is 80,967.

Beijing has laid down a stepby-step protocol to prevent the spread of the virus by overseas travellers. “Several airports in China have introduced new procedures for incoming travellers from overseas, including medical screening on arrival,” the Indian embassy in Beijing said.

The process begins soon after disembarkation. Incoming passengers need to file a health declaration before they are allowed to enter the quarantine route where they would have their body temperatures checked.

In Beijing, passengers are then taken to the China International Exhibition Centre, some 6km from the airport, in government buses for registration and the second round of physical checks.

Those found to be normal at the exhibition centre - and heading out to other cities in China are escorted by their own city government personnel to the next part of their journeys.

In Beijing, elderly, minors, pregnant women and those with underlying conditions may be allowed to stay at home for the observation period.

SOURCE: JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY