China on Tuesday condemned recent Covid take a look at necessities by round a dozen international locations on passengers travelling overseas from its territory, warning it might take “countermeasures” in response.

The United States, Canada, France and Japan are amongst numerous international locations that now require travellers from China to indicate a unfavorable Covid take a look at earlier than arrival, because the nation faces a surge in circumstances.

“Some countries have taken entry restrictions targeting only Chinese travellers,” overseas ministry spokesperson Mao Ning instructed a daily briefing.

Read extra: Unreliable data and unknown variants: Why China’s Covid wave is stirring fear

“This lacks scientific basis and some practices are unacceptable,” she added, warning China might “take countermeasures based on the principle of reciprocity”.

China is seeing a steep rise in infections after years of harsh zero-Covid restrictions have been abruptly loosened final month with little warning or preparation, and hospitals and crematoriums have been shortly overwhelmed.

In late December, Beijing mentioned inbound travellers would now not be required to quarantine, sending many Chinese folks speeding to plan long-awaited journeys overseas.

Countries have cited China’s lack of transparency round an infection knowledge and the danger of latest variants rising as causes to limit travellers.

China recorded solely 22 Covid deaths since December, after dramatically narrowing the standards for classifying such deaths.