Concerns Over COVID Situation in China, Says WHO

The "Agence France-Presse" reported that World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed that the restrictions imposed by some countries in response to the surge of COVID-19 cases in China are understandable due to the lack of information from Beijing. He called on China for greater transparency regarding the pandemic situation in the country. His comments came after the United States joined several countries in implementing COVID tests on travelers arriving from China, following Beijing's lifting of travel restrictions despite the increase in infections. However, the European Union's health agency stated that such measures are currently unjustified within the bloc. Tedros tweeted, "To conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of the COVID-19 situation on the ground in China, the WHO needs more detailed information." He added, "In the absence of comprehensive information from China, it is understandable that countries around the world would act in ways they believe may protect their populations." He continued, "We remain concerned about the evolving situation and continue to urge China to monitor the virus and vaccinate the most vulnerable people." Hospitals across China have been overwhelmed following the decision to lift strict rules that had significantly contained the virus but harmed the economy and sparked widespread protests. This week, China announced it would end mandatory quarantine upon arrival, prompting many Chinese citizens to plan travel abroad.