Expert ‘surprised’ government won’t test travellers from China for COVID

A leading epidemiologist has raised concerns over the lack of testing being done on travellers from China.

It comes after the country abandoned its COVID zero policy and started allowing international travel again.

Some countries have said they will required a negative COVID test from travellers before being granted entry.

However Australia has so far said it will not require travellers to present a negative test.

Professor Michael Toole AM told 3AW Mornings it could lead to a new variant taking hold.

“I think that’s one of the key worries, that a new variant will arrive,” he said.

“And that has happened in the past, when you have uncontrolled spread of the virus.

“And a country with so many people, with relatively low vaccination rates – particularly in the elderly.

“Also you have very low natural immunity in China because so few people have had COVID compared with other countries.

“So they are the conditions for the emergence of a variant.”

Press PLAY below to hear his concerns

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