Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
China Slaps New Screenings On US Visitors
The Hill: China To Require Negative COVID-19 Test For US Visitors
China announced Friday that it will require travelers taking direct flights to the country from the U.S. to test negative for the coronavirus within 3 days of their trip. China’s embassy in the U.S. said in a statement that those traveling to China from the U.S. and any passenger transiting from a country that Beijing has designated as requiring the screening must provide negative results from a COVID-19 nucleic-acid test conducted within 72 hours of boarding a flight at their last layover destination. The rules will take effect on Sept. 15. (Axelrod, 9/5)
AP: Defying US, Xi Praises China, WHO For Battling Coronavirus
Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Tuesday praised China’s role in battling the coronavirus pandemic and expressed support for the World Health Organization, in a repudiation of U.S. criticism and a bid to rally domestic support for Communist Party leadership. Xi told a televised assembly at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing that China’s battle against COVID-19 demonstrated the strengths of its socialist system and traditional Chinese culture in stirring motivation, building consensus and pooling resources. (9/8)
Reuters: Hong Kong Eases Some Coronavirus Curbs, Allows Gatherings Of Four
Hong Kong will expand the size of public gatherings to four people and re-open more sports venues from Friday as the Asian financial hub relaxes strict curbs against a third wave of the coronavirus. The measures come as new daily cases have dropped into the single digits from three figures. Last week gyms and massage parlours re-opened and night-time dining hours were extended. (9/8)
In other global news —
AP: UK Slaps Quarantines On Greek Island Travelers As Cases Rise
The U.K. on Monday recorded nearly 3,000 new coronavirus cases for the second day running and unveiled a new “islands policy” that will require anyone returning to England from seven Greek islands, including Crete. Mykonos and Santorini, to self-isolate for 14 days. According to the Department of Health and Social Care, the U.K. reported 2,948 daily new coronavirus Monday, down from the previous day’s number of 2,988, which had been the highest since May. (Pylas, 9/7)
AP: Fearing Virus, Parents In Spain Rise Against Back To School
Ángela López hardly fits the profile of a rule-breaker. But the mother of a 7-year-old girl with respiratory problems has found herself among parents ready to challenge Spanish authorities on a blanket order to return to school. They are wary of safety measures they see as ill-funded as a new wave of coronavirus infections sweeps the country. They fear sick students could infect relatives who are at higher risk of falling ill from COVID-19. And they claim that they have invested in computers and better network connections to prepare for online lessons, even preparing to homeschool their children if necessary. (Puig, 9/8)
AP: Virus Puts New Strain On Gaza's Overwhelmed Health System
Dr. Ahmed el-Rabii spent years treating Palestinians wounded by Israeli fire during wars and clashes in the Gaza Strip. Now that the coronavirus has reached the blockaded territory, the 37-year-old physician finds himself in the unfamiliar role of patient. El-Rabii is the first Gaza doctor diagnosed with COVID-19 and is among dozens of health-care workers infected during the local outbreak, which was detected late last month. The spread among front-line workers has further strained an already overburdened health-care system.Speaking from one of the two hospitals designated to treat coronavirus cases, el-Rabii said the threat in many ways is more terrifying than war. (Akram, 9/8)
AP: Quarantine-Weary Brazilians Head To Beaches Despite Warnings
Suellen de Souza could no longer endure the confinement. After six months of precautions, the Brazilian nursing technician decided that Sunday would be her first day at the beach since the pandemic began.“This week it was very hot ... the truth is I really wanted to come” to the beach, said the 21-year-old at Rio de Janeiro’s Ipanema beach, which is technically still closed to sun-bathers though few respect the prohibition and authorities seldom enforce it. (De Sousa, 9/6)
