Epidemiologist says COVID testing requirement 'political'

An epidemiologist says Australia's decision to require pre-departure COVID-19 tests for travellers arriving from China is a political rather than public health decision.

A couple fill in their health declaration via a smartphone as travelers with luggage line up at the Air Macao flight check in counter at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing on Dec. 29, 2022. Gambling haven Macao’s relaxation of border restrictions after China rolled back its "zero-COVID" strategy is widely expected to boost its tourism-driven economy. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Source: AP / Andy Wong/AP

Key Points

• Travellers from mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau will need to show a negative test before being allowed entry into Australia from January 5.
• Professor Adrian Esterman from the University of South Australia says the requirement will only serve to demonise China.
• The federal government is yet to decide on whether inbound travellers will need to take a PCR or a rapid antigen test.