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Coronavirus: China extends ban on foreign visitors to eight more countries, including India, France and Russia
- Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Italy, Nigeria and Ukraine also join Britain, Belgium and the Philippines on temporary blacklist
- Restrictions come after 23 passengers on a flight from New Delhi to Wuhan test positive for Covid-19
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China has suspended entry for foreign visitors from a further eight countries as it seeks to prevent importing the coronavirus.
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Notices telling people about the restrictions were posted on the websites of China’s embassies in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, France, India, Italy, Nigeria, Russia and Ukraine on Thursday. They came after would-be travellers from Britain, Belgium and the Philippines were given a similar message.
The statements said the suspensions were a “temporary response necessitated by the current situation of Covid-19”.
China’s foreign ministry said on Thursday the ruling was based on the changing epidemic situation in the countries involved, and described the move as “reasonable and in line with international practices”.
The restriction would apply regardless of whether people held valid visas or residence permits, but members of the diplomatic service and international transport workers, like airline crews, would be exempt, the statements said.
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