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Home » china » China Now Requires COVID-19 Anal Swab For Foreign Travelers
chinaNews

China Now Requires COVID-19 Anal Swab For Foreign Travelers

Matthew Klint Posted onMarch 4, 2021March 4, 2021 31 Comments

COVID-19 Anal Test

After a successful domestic trial demonstrating higher accuracy rates, China is now requiring COVID-19 anal swab testing for foreign travelers arriving from abroad.

COVID-19 Anal Swab Test Mandatory For Travelers Arriving in China

The New York Post reports that anal swab testing applies to all arriving foreign travelers and is mandatory. Reuters outlines limited exceptions. Testing hubs at Beijing and Shanghai Airports now direct arriving foreign travelers to testing areas to perform the anal swab prior to mandatory quarantine.

The test requires inserting a cotton swab three to five centimeters (one to two inches) into the rectum, then rotating it multiple times.


> Read More: China Says COVID-19 Anal Test More Accurate Than Nose Or Throat Method


The move comes despite a recent plea from the Japanese government not to use anal swabs to test Japanese citizens. Japan claimed it caused mental anguish. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato stated at a news conference:

“Some Japanese reported to our embassy in China that they received anal swab tests, which caused a great psychological pain.”

But China says the tests are science-based and will continue. A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry added that the tests are “in accordance with the changes in the epidemic situation as well as relevant laws and regulations.”

Diplomats are on the of the exemptions. Several American diplomats and their families were subject to anal swab tests last month, sparking outrage and an official protest from the State Department. China backed down and no longer requires anal swabs for those with diplomatic passports. In a face saving move, China said the tests were administered in error in the first place.

CONCLUSION

The U.S. State Department voiced its commitment to preserving the “dignity” of American diplomats and their families. Will it lobby China to treat all American travelers with the same dignity?

Will the China anal test for travelers deter you from visiting China? China may have the unfettered right to require the testing of its choice, but are anal swabs the right move?

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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31 Comments

  1. Eric Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 12:00 pm

    This solution stinks

  2. Too Many Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 12:16 pm

    I suppose that will keep most tourists away…

    I mean, if the data supports that type of testing is superior, that’s fine. But I’m not sure how many people will subject themselves to that type of invasive testing. I guess culturally the Chinese or maybe the government doesn’t find it that big of a deal. However, for many people, even if they had wanted to visit, this may give pause.

  3. Christian Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 12:37 pm

    Easier than posting a Keep Out sign.

  4. Jetset Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 12:54 pm

    No, never planned on visiting China, now another reason why,,,,,,

  5. MarkM Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 1:07 pm

    ‘Stick it up your a–‘ is how China responds to accusations of Covid origination.

  6. Bill n DC Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 1:28 pm

    Well first things first: If/What/How is Hong Kong Doing this? If at all? I’m ticketed for a layover at the Wing Lounge during my July Birthday Round The World Trip 😉

    Second, and maybe it’s that I’m a gay man, but Lord such ‘anguish’ (rolled eyes emoji) for a method that to me sounds less painful than what I hear about the nasal swabs. 🙂

    And Men, Don’t forget to get your annual prostate examination 😉

  7. Jerry Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 1:33 pm

    I get how this is taboo, I suppose, but I don’t think it’s a big deal at all. I really don’t enjoy the nasal swabs and I would choose this over a nasal swab if given the option.

    It’s part of the human body, everyone has a rectum, it’s an accurate way to get a test. Get over it.

  8. Matthew Klint Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 1:35 pm

    Quite honestly, I feel the same way. While I detest my yearly prostate exam, I also hate both nose and throat swabs. I’d be willing to give this a try.

  9. Stuart Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 1:42 pm

    Now that would be the blog post of the year. Especially if you can include photos.

  10. Matthew Klint Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 1:44 pm

    Be careful what you wish for!

  11. MaKr Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 1:45 pm

    You’re kind of young for an annual digital rectal exam. You might want to ask your doctor what is up with that (so to speak)

  12. cr Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 1:58 pm

    I read a comment the other day that all our health info resides in our gut. The issue was raised in the context of this providing China with an immense data mining opportunity on a person’s medical conditions, medications, etc.

    I’m far from knowledgeable or fluent in this area, but I found the point interesting.

  13. Joe Chivas Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 2:11 pm

    Joe Biden said he is looking forward to his first trip to China as President. He’s already requested Tara Reade to administer the swab.

  14. Pete Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 2:19 pm

    Wouldn’t he prefer a Russian prostitute do it at a Ritz Carlton?

  15. Santastico Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 2:31 pm

    Like I needed another reason to NOT go to China.

  16. emercycrite Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 2:55 pm

    You’re not as funny as you think.

  17. AlohaDAveKennedy Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 3:00 pm

    I don’t even wanna think how the fraudsters are now gonna market fake anal test results.

  18. jon Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 3:52 pm

    We must get to the bottom of this matter ! Will we see politicians and celebs getting swabbed ? Will anal swab selfies become trendy ? Drive-up anal swabs ?

  19. Paolo Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 3:59 pm

    I don’t see much difference , in this regard, between the rectum and the mouth or nose.
    Whether it’s necessary/ effective/better than alternatives is another matter. Certainly it’s true that China would not be disappointed to humiliate foreign devils, and likely couldn’t care less about the outraged response.

  20. Manish Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 4:38 pm

    Why not require this test for everyone arriving via international flights, why only foreigners?

  21. BL Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 6:01 pm

    As @Too Many noted, I think this isn’t so much China being unwelcoming towards foreigners as much as it is them being kind of “tone-deaf.” They don’t think it’s an issue, in the same way some countries don’t recycle, or in others, waiting in line (queueing) isn’t a thing.

    I might even go as far as to hypothesize that they have a different relationship with their bodies; the “tone-deaf” part is their relevant health-authority not realizing that not every country’s citizens have the same view as them.

  22. Jackson Waterson Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 7:07 pm

    This is what the Dem/GOP uniparty want for the U.S. They always put israel and China first. I wish western leaders had the courage to admit COVID is huge lie to grow government power and push a global reset to diminish our freedoms even more. Of course they won’t. They are either in on it or are too stupid to recognize it (Trump). Testing over a disease with a 99.999% survival rate sure makes a lot of sense.

    If COVID has shown us anything, it is we don’t need China. Let them keep their ugly wall and pollution. Go to Japan, go to Thailand, or go to Korea. If western politicians had honor, they would blacklist China and overnight there economy would crumble. We don’t need their junk.

  23. UA-NYC Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 10:23 pm

    The global elites are going to create a New World Order. It’s all a big hoax. QAnon will show the way. Trump was re-inaugurated today. Covid has a .001% death rate. Our freedums are under attack with the mask wearing, the mandatory straitjackets are next.

    (The delusion & alternate reality out there is truly amazing)

  24. Aztec Reply
    March 4, 2021 at 11:56 pm

    Oh sh!t…

  25. W Ho Reply
    March 5, 2021 at 8:28 am

    Love it!!

  26. Trevor Reply
    March 5, 2021 at 9:09 am

    If it’s more accurate, ok, I hope the airlines will take that into account as they design the pre-arrival meal!

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      March 5, 2021 at 10:30 am

      Ha!

  27. Ali Reply
    March 5, 2021 at 11:36 am

    It was reported yesterday on the news that they allow South Koreans visitors to do their own anal swab test themselves and submit the sample. I don’t know if that applies to other people.

  28. Airfarer Reply
    March 5, 2021 at 4:21 pm

    Oh, no. You’ve got to do it yourself? That’s a bummer.

  29. John Cowan Reply
    March 8, 2021 at 1:26 pm

    The question is how the test is administered: properly, or “Open! In! Out! Move on!”?

  30. Pingback: I Love This - Qantas Selling Flights to Mystery Destinations! - Renés Points

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