Dec 28, 2022 11:00:00

Flight bookings increase by 254% as travelers rush abroad from China, which has stopped zero corona

In China, where the zero-corona policy was revised in the form of a

blank paper revolution , it was found that the number of people traveling abroad from China is increasing rapidly as the number of people infected with the new coronavirus infection increases sharply. The most popular destinations are Hong Kong, Thailand, Macau, South Korea and Japan, all within short flights.

China travel increases as COVID restrictions are lifted
https://www.axios.com/2022/12/27/china-travel-lifted-covid-restrictions-rules

Chinese Rush for Exit as Beijing Ends Zero-Covid and Opens Its Doors - WSJ
https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/chinese-rush-for-exit-as-beijing-ends-zero-covid-and-opens-its-doors-11672143869

Until now, the Chinese government, which has required immigrants to undergo strict isolation for a total of eight days, announced on December 27, 2022 that isolation measures will be abolished from January 8, 2023. In the background, it is said that the aim is to lead to economic recovery by resuming full-scale travel to and from overseas.

With the relaxation of quarantine measures when returning home, the number of people considering traveling abroad from China has increased rapidly. According to a Reuters survey, the number of searches for popular travel destinations on the Chinese travel site Ctrip increased 10 times in 30 minutes after the news about the relaxation of quarantine measures. Popular destinations are specifically Macau, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand and South Korea. Travel agency Trip.com saw a 254% increase in international flight bookings from the previous day.

The relaxation of regulations is concerned about the spread of new coronavirus infections and the export of new mutant strains. The Chinese authorities are reviewing the zero-corona policy in response to protests against the severe new coronavirus infectious disease called the

Blank Paper Revolution , and it is believed that the number of infected people in China is rapidly increasing.

According to the announcement of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of new infections on December 26 was less than 4,500 and there was one death. There were 277 severe cases, four times the daily average over the past week. However, most experts point out that the government announcement is just the tip of the iceberg. The American news media POLITICO reported on December 26 that the intensive care units of Chinese medical institutions were full and the crematoriums were significantly more crowded than usual.

Under these circumstances, each country is nervous about measures against travelers from China. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced on the 27th that he will require infection tests when entering Japan from the 30th, and that if he is positive and has symptoms, he will be quarantined at a waiting facility for 7 days in principle, strengthening border measures.

Also, according to the Wall Street Journal, similar measures have been taken in Italy, and India is asking travelers to present negative test results before boarding an airplane. In addition, South Korea has added China to its list of 'countries subject to testing,' making it mandatory for anyone with a temperature above 37.3 degrees to be tested.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement on Wednesday that the WHO is 'extremely concerned' by the growing number of reports of serious illnesses in China.