Christian Deutsch, a member of Austria’s opposition Social Democratic Party, argues that Austrian authorities must decide whether to introduce mandatory coronavirus tests for travelers arriving from Chinese territory. The stance was conveyed to TASS, with Deutsch stressing that any measures should be coordinated with other EU member states to ensure consistency across the bloc.
Deutsch notes that experts have warned about potentially new variants and that the lack of transparent data from China compounds these concerns. He calls on the government to urgently consider implementing testing for arrivals from China and to align this policy with similar steps taken by other European countries. In his view, coordination within the European Union would help maintain uniform standards and prevent loopholes in border controls.
According to the Austrian lawmaker, the current trajectory of the coronavirus situation in China is difficult to assess and appears out of control. He suggests that a proactive approach by Austria could help mitigate any unexpected risks associated with travel from the country and contribute to broader EU-level risk management strategies.
Earlier reports indicated that the Czech Republic has been engaging in discussions within the European Union regarding China-related covid developments. The Czech delegation anticipated consulting with Sweden, which will hold the rotating EU presidency for six months starting January 1, about the potential introduction of new restrictions. This line of discussion reflects a wider trend among EU member states to compare approaches and consider synchronized responses to evolving health threats.