China to temporarily suspend entry to foreigners – including those with permanent residency – from Saturday as the country continues coronavirus battle
- Even those with residency permits are banned from returning from Saturday
- A statement said: ‘[This] is a temporary measure that China is compelled to take in light of the outbreak situation and the practices of other countries.’
- Diplomatic workers are exempt from the ban as are ‘C’ category visa holders
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced it is temporarily barring most foreigners from entering the country in a bid to stop new coronavirus cases.
The foreign ministry has said that even foreign citizens with residence permits will be prevented from entering starting on Saturday.
All visa-free transit policies will be temporarily suspended.
It also said diplomatic workers will be exempt, and foreign citizens coming to China for ‘necessary economic, trade, scientific or technological activities or out of emergency humanitarian needs’ can still apply for visas.
China is allowing people who were under lockdown in Hubei to leave the province at the center of the coronavirus outbreak as the news foreign travel to the country will be restricted further
Exemptions will also be made to holders of ‘C’ visas, the ministry said in a statement.
‘C’ visas are issued to foreigners involved in provision of international transportation services.
In a statement the Foreign Ministry said: ‘The suspension is a temporary measure that China is compelled to take in light of the outbreak situation and the practices of other countries.’
The coronavirus outbreak originated in Wuhan, China and has since enacted strict curfew and lockdown procedures.
But as China’s number of domestic virus cases has dwindled, the country has had to contend with infections brought by people who have recently arrived from overseas.
Such infections have accounted for the majority of China´s new cases for more than a week.