Chinese govt favours SA for travel groups - thanks to Covid-19 tests not being enforced
South Africa's decision to not impose Covid-19 tests on Chinese tourists is one of the key reasons why it is one of the first countries to which the Chinese government has approved group travel.
China reopened its borders earlier in January after years of strict lockdowns during the pandemic. Individual travellers with the necessary permission could start travelling outside the country again.
Last week, the Chinese government released a list of 20 countries to which it will allow group travel as of 6 February. Group travel is only permitted via travel agencies accredited by the Chinese government.
South Africa is on this list, which, apart from eight Asian countries, includes Russia, the UAE, Switzerland, Egypt, and Kenya.
Countries like the US, UK, India, Japan, and France, which decided to impose mandatory Covid-19 testing for Chinese travellers, are not on the list. The Chinese government has criticised mandatory Covid-19 testing, claiming such measures lack a scientific basis.
Source: News24