[LINK] O/t: Covid: England to require negative test (before boarding) for arrivals from China

[Stephen Loosley]

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2023/jan/01/australia-live-news-updates-linda-burney-indigenous-voice-new-year-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-labor-coalition

>From 1h ago 13.2 AEDT


Travellers from China will need to submit negative Covid test

After mentioning the other countries that have introduced some basic restrictions on travellers from China, Mark Butler says the federal government has decided to also introduce some measures “out of an abundance of caution.”

Travellers from China will need to submit evidence that they have a negative Covid test, and the measure will come into effect from midnight on 5 January:

    In light of that lack of comprehensive information at this point in time, the government has decided out of an abundance of caution, to require travellers from China to submit evidence before boarding the flight that they have a negative Covid test.

    This will come into effect at 12.01am on the 5 January an outline of the time of arrangements from a number of other countries including the United States and England. As well the government intends to put in place additional measures to collect information as recommended to me by the chief medical officer.

    Those arrangements include exploring the feasibility of wastewater testing from aeroplanes, this is a measure that is an innovation in Australia has been picked up right now across the world in places including the United States and Europe.

    We are also reviewing and strengthening our community wastewater testing arrangements across the country. The possibility of voluntary sampling arrangement at airports for arrivals or for travellers to be tested upon their arrival into Australia. And fourthly strengthening our arrangements for the follow-up of people in Australia who test positive within 14 days of having been overseas. I want to stress that these arrangements have not been put in place lightly.

Updated at 13.30 AEDT