China state TV reported Wednesday that the country’s air travel regulator was preparing to allow airlines to fly more routes to the U.S. following the government’s lifting of its draconian zero Covid policy.
China had suspended most flights and other travel in and out of the country following the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020. Recently, those and other restrictions that were part of the nation’s zero Covid policy have been lifted.
On Sunday, the first passengers were allowed to fly into China without being quarantined after arrival.
However, other nations including the U.S. have reacted with rising concern across the globe as Beijing lifted its restrictions amid a surge of Covid cases across China.
The Biden Administration announced in late December that all travelers over age 2 flying from airports in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau must present a negative Covid test before traveling to the U.S. as of January 5.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also issued an advisory discouraging Americans from traveling to China.
The U.S. is just one of a growing list countries to impose similar requirements for travelers from China, the latest of which as of Wednesday was Cyprus.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China said it planned to talk with U.S. regulators to “promote the smooth resumption of flights” between the two countries, according to Chinese state TV.
