Belgium will not require covid testing for travelers from China

Belgium will intensify the surveillance in the face of increased coronavirus cases. at China, but it will not oblige travelers from this country to become covid-19 tests, Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke announced on Monday. In Spain, Health requires a negative test to all travelers coming from China. From Catalonia, the secretary of Public Health, Carmen Cabezas, has demanded this Monday to Europe a “common” policy for the controls of these travelers.

In particular, Belgium plans to apply two new measures, starting with the collection and analysis of wastewater from aircraft landing at Brussels airport from China, the Belgian agency reported.

That analysis, which will be carried out twice a week, must compulsorily include the genome sequencing to detect new variants of the virus.

On the other hand, travelers returning from China who present. symptoms coronavirus-related symptoms, they will have to undergo a PCR or antigen test, which should be sent to a laboratory with genomic sequencing technology.

Vandenbroucke today called for a common European policy that would make mandatory testing for those arriving in the EU from China.

He considered however that a obligation of proof for solo travelers to Belgium would not make much sense, given the size of the country and the few direct flights from China.

“We think it is useful to apply for a test on exit from China to Europe, only if all of Europe coordinates,” he said at a press conference today.

“For it to be effective, it will be necessary to reintroduce the passenger tracing form to enable tracking of people coming from China,” he added.