WSJ learns of US plans to restrict entry to tourists from China due to COVID US may copy the experience of Japan and Malaysia on restrictions on tourists from China

after a sharp increase in cases of CORONAVIRUS in the country.Japanese authorities pointed to a disturbing discrepancy in outbreak data

The administration of US President Joe Biden is considering imposing new restrictions on Chinese tourists. Possible measures are being explored amid the outbreak of coronavirus in CHINA, the lifting of three-year entry bans by the country's authorities and a sharp increase in sales of air tickets from China. This is reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing sources among US officials.

In Washington, they follow the advice of HEALTH experts and consult with partners, one of the interlocutors assured the publication, but none of them disclosed the content of possible restrictions. The US may adopt models from Japan and Malaysia to contain the spread of the coronavirus during this outbreak in China, the WSJ sources said.

The publication recalled that tourists from China are the world's largest source of income for the tourism industry. In 2016 alone, Chinese travelers spent almost $258 billion — 20% of total global tourism spending, according to data from the United Nations tourism organization on the World Economic Forum website.

In mid-December, the US embassy in China suspended visa issuance, limited to "passport and emergency services for citizens."

BLOOMBERG reported 37 million covid cases per day in China Politics

Japanese authorities have ruled that from Friday, December 30, all arrivals from China will be required to be tested for COVID, in case of a positive result, a week-long quarantine in a special facility will be put. Travelers who arrived from China in the past week will also be tested for coronavirus. At the same time, Tokyo will not allow Chinese airlines to increase the number of flights to the country, flights to Japan will be allowed only from four airports in China, Hong Kong and Macau.

Premier Fumio Kishida pointed out that what is happening in China remains difficult to understand due to discrepancies in the incidence estimates between the central and regional governments, as well as officials and private individuals: "People in Japan are worried about this."

Read on RBC Pro How to avoid problems with the Federal Tax Service and loss of money: draw up a contract agreement Where is the ideal place for relocation of it specialists DOLLAR for 140 rubles or 70: what 2023 is preparing Four tips,that will help you to face any difficulties

At the end of January, Chinese New Year is celebrated, in connection with which an increase in the number of travelers from China is expected, Nikkei notes. The WSJ adds that overseas Chinese are planning trips to China during this time .

Chinese State Commission to stop publishing daily statistics on covid-19 Society

The Chinese authorities have long applied severe restrictions in the fight against the spread of coronavirus as part of a “zero tolerance” policy, which means harsh measures even with a small spread of infection in certain areas. After the protests, the Chinese government lifted many of the restrictions, after which the infection rates skyrocketed. The demonstrations took place after a fire in the city of Urumqi, during which ten people were killed. According to the South China Morning Post, the building was in a "high-risk" area due to the coronavirus, so leaving could be difficult. City officials denied this.

In December, almost 250 million people in China fell ill with COVID-19 (about 18% of the total population of the country), they said at a closed meeting of the National Health Commission of China, Bloomberg wrote. According to the agency, in just one day on December 20, 37 million people in China fell ill.

See also New covid center in China 03:11