And the Chinese embassies in Belgium, Russia, Egypt and Peru issued similar statements, imposing quarantine in the country of origin, to which another quarantine is added upon arrival in China, for a period of at least 14 days.
China, like other countries, has already required anyone traveling from abroad to complete the quarantine period on arrival, but the mandatory quarantine before boarding the plane is an unprecedented requirement.
“All individuals from companies with Chinese capital, 21 days in advance, must submit quarantine certificates stamped by the relevant companies,” the statement posted on the official website of the Chinese Embassy in Lisbon reads.
The same note adds: “Cockroaches who have disembarked in Portugal and intend to travel to China must be quarantined in Portugal for at least 14 days, and quarantine certificates must be issued by airlines.”
In the case of Portugal, the only direct flight to China, operated by Beijing Capital Airlines, is to the Chinese city of Xi’an, which requires 21 days of quarantine for those coming from abroad, at a designated hotel before and after another seven days at their residence in China .
Passengers must also present a certificate of vaccination or a negative antigen test certificate. In addition to one of these two certificates, the passenger must provide negative results for PCR DNA tests and IgM antibody tests.
The connection between Lisbon and Xi’an has a frequency of one flight per week.
Beijing Capital Airlines has also temporarily suspended transit passengers to China, via Lisbon, from South Africa, Brazil, India, Nepal, the United Kingdom, Angola, Mozambique, Italy and Spain.
William Shakespeare is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, entertainment, history, and current affairs. With a keen eye for storytelling and analysis, he produces informative articles that help readers understand the people, ideas, and events influencing modern life.
