Citizens from These European Countries Can Now Return to China

On August 10, the Chinese Embassy in Denmark announced that citizens of the following European countries may reenter China: Albania, Ireland, Estonia, Austria, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Belgium, Iceland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland, Denmark, Germany, France, Finland, Netherlands, Montenegro, Czech Republic, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Romania, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Serbia, Cyprus, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Greece, Hungary, Italy and the United Kingdom. 

Those who hold relevant Chinese residence permits (ie. work, personal affairs, family visit) may apply for a visa to China for free from any Chinese embassy or consulate in these countries. 

Last week, South Koreans were also given the green light to reenter China, along with increasing reports of teachers abroad from select schools who have been able to receive invitation letters. 

Distribution of COVID-19 cases worldwide, as of August 10, 2020. Image via ECDC

Fears of a second wave of COVID-19 in European countries remain; however, stricter restrictions have been imposed to curb the spread. Daily new cases in Europe have been kept under 25,000 since mid-May.

[Cover image via Unsplash]