News

US to require negative COVID tests for travellers from China

Published

1 year ago

December 29, 2022

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The United States will require negative COVID-19 tests for travellers from China, US health officials have said, after China’s decision to lift stringent restrictions to contain the virus.

According to Al Jazeera, the officials have said on Wednesday that the new policy, which will kick in on January 5, will apply to all air passengers over two years old from China, Hong Kong or Macao.

Tests must be taken “no more than two days before their departure”, a health official said. Travellers who test positive more than 10 days before a flight can provide documentation of recovery in place of a negative test result.

On Monday, Beijing said it would scrap mandatory COVID quarantines for overseas arrivals from January 8, prompting many in China to rush to plan trips abroad.

China has experienced a recent surge of COVID-19 cases after it rolled back its strict anti-virus controls. The so-called “zero COVID” policies, which included lockdowns and extensive testing, had curbed the spread of the virus but also led to public frustration and hampered economic growth.

China has faced international criticism over alleged inconsistencies in its official COVID data reporting.

News

5 including Ulapane Sumangala Thero, bailed

Published

10 mins ago

April 26, 2024

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Convenor of the Teacher – Principal Trade Union Alliance – Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thero and 04 others have been granted bail under strict conditions by the Colombo Additional Magistrate today (April 26).

They were remanded for attempted disturbance against implementing a Court order.

News

Expedite Xpress Pearl investigation – court

Published

15 mins ago

April 26, 2024

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Colombo Additional Magistrate – Keminda Perera yesterday (April 25) ordered the Criminal Investigation Department to complete the investigation regarding the Xpress Pearl incident and report the facts to the court immediately.

The magistrate also ordered that the audio tapes containing conversations between the stricken vessel and its local agent, to be submitted before the court.

However, the State Counsel who appeared on behalf of the CID when the case was taken up on Thursday (25), has sought a period of one month, in order to present facts in relation to the investigations.

The lawyers representing the captain of the destroyed ‘X-Press Pearl’ ship and the directors of the relevant local agent, who have been named as respondents of the case, noted that a trial with regard to the maritime calamity is already underway before the Colombo High Court.

They have also raised questions concerning the need for conducting further investigations into the same incident against this backdrop.

(Source : Aruna)