Association Of Airlines And Airport Critics Of Recommendation For COVID-19 Tests Prior To EU Departure For Flights From China

Illustration. (Unsplash/Ma bigva Vigier)

JAKARTA - The airline and airport group coalition on Thursday criticized new recommendations asking flight passengers from China to the European Union (EU) to show a negative COVID-19 test before departure.

EU government officials made the recommendation on Wednesday, as Beijing plans to ease travel restrictions despite a wave of new COVID infections.

The International Air Transport Association, Airlines for Europe and ACI Europe said in a joint statement that "the current surge in COVID-19 cases in China is not expected to have an impact on the epidemiological situation in the EU/EEA (EU)".

It is also said to contradict previous assessments by the European Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

The ECDC last week said EU residents had relatively high vaccination rates and the potential for low import infections compared to daily infections in the EU, with health care systems currently tackling them.

"Although the recommendations agreed yesterday are in large part a spontaneous reaction, it is now important that these recommendations are applied by EU member states in a fully uniform manner," the group said in a statement.

The group said it hoped the European Union would reassess the recommendation in mid-January.

Separately, Sweden and Germany on Thursday said they would implement the recommendation and more countries on the bloc are expected to do so soon.

China plans to relax travel restrictions starting Sunday, although a new wave of infections has overwhelmed China's hospitals and funeral homes.