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International arrivals to Australia from China will no longer need to prove a negative COVID-19 test, after the federal government removed travel requirements.
COVID-19 testing measures for travelers from China, Hong Kong and Macao were introduced on January 5 following fears of a new variant and a wave of infections in China.
Health Minister Mark Butler said the requirements of needing a negative test to enter the country will be lifted from Saturday, after data showed COVID-19 numbers in China have peaked.
“This is a sensible and measured decision based on the declining number of COVID-19 cases in China, regular data updates from China on case numbers, and the fact that we have strengthened our ability to detect and respond to emerging variants of concern within Australia from international. source,” Butler said.
“I would like to thank all the travelers from China and the airlines that complied with these testing arrangements.”
Australia was one of several countries to introduce new testing requirements for arrivals from China due to potential COVID spikes.
Concerns were also raised that China was not sharing accurate data with health organizations about its outbreaks, following the relaxation of zero-COVID measures across the country.
However, the government said there were no new variants of concern outside of China.
Australia has followed other countries, including the US, Japan and France, in repealing the travel requirement.
–PAA
