PARIS France has extended mandatory Covid-19 tests for travellers from China until Feb 15, a government decree published on Saturday (Jan 28) showed.

While Chinese officials said infections had peaked, some global experts warned about the possibility of a rise in cases in rural areas less equipped to deal with them, as millions of Chinese travelled for family reunions during the Lunar New Year holiday.

On Dec 30, France announced that it would require travellers from China to provide a negative Covid-19 test result less than 48 hours before departure as China eased lockdown rules.

The measure, which had been set to last until Jan 31, imposed tests on all flights from China - including flights with stopovers - and required travellers on airplanes arriving from China to wear masks.

China abandoned its strict Covid Zero policy in early December after protests against the restrictions, allowing people to travel and the virus to spread rapidly throughout the country.

French daily Le Monde first reported publication of the decree. 

  - Reuters