File Photo: Xinhua

China on Wednesday urged certain countries and regions to remove administrative restrictions on international flights and travelers from China amid the novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) outbreak, which is also recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international institutions.

Some countries and regions have adopted excessive measures in response to the virus, such as the suspension of international flights to and from China and the imposition of additional immigration controls.

Such measures have been applied despite the WHO's opposition to any restrictions to international travel and trade, Liang Nan, director of the Department of International Affairs under the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), said at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

Such administrative orders and restrictions have had a negative impact on the international aviation market, and caused significant inconvenience for travelers, including both Chinese nationals stranded overseas and foreign citizens unable to return home, Liang said.

The CAAC has been reporting virus prevention measures taken by China to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in a timely manner, and has enhanced communication with other countries and regions, Liang said.

She stressed that certain countries and regions should comply with recommendations against restricting flights to and from China by international organizations, and that they should carefully consider adopting restrictive measures.

"In particular, airlines should not be ordered to suspend flights via government administrative orders, to minimize the negative impact of the epidemic on the international air transport market," Liang said.

The ICAO on February 4 said in a statement that it supports the WHO's recommendation that all countries do not impose restrictions inconsistent with the International Health Regulations.

"Ignoring [the WHO's] recommendations without first conducting an appropriate risk assessment could lead to unnecessary and negative impacts, particularly for many vulnerable or isolated populations that rely heavily on their global aviation connections," the statement read.

Aviation authorities of more than 40 countries have responded positively as of Tuesday, and have expressed appreciation and support for China's epidemic prevention measures, Liang told the conference.

According to information from China's National Immigration Administration on Tuesday, all travelers from or transferring from the Chinese mainland are now not permitted to enter Australia within 14 days of their exit from the Chinese mainland, excepting Australian citizens, permanent residents and their direct relatives. Those exempt individuals are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine after landing in the country.

Kyrgyzstan has suspended all flight services to and from China, as well as the issuance of visas to Chinese citizens.

Global Times