First Flight Of Returning European Employees Lands In China
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published May 30, 2020 | 03:02 PM
A Lufthansa plane carrying around 200 mainly German workers landed in China on Saturday, marking the first return of Europeans since the country suspended visas over the coronavirus
Beijing, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th May, 2020 ) :A Lufthansa plane carrying around 200 mainly German workers landed in China on Saturday, marking the first return of Europeans since the country suspended visas over the coronavirus.
China drastically cut international flight routes in late March and imposed a entry ban on most foreigners -- including those with valid residence visas.
The move underlined its fears over imported coronavirus cases and a second wave of infections as the virus epicentre shifted beyond China, where the deadly pathogen was first reported late last year.
Many workers found themselves stranded abroad and unable to return after leaving China at the height of the epidemic.
Lufthansa's flight from Frankfurt landed shortly before noon at Tianjin airport, southeast of Beijing, the German flag-carrier said.
The group, made up of employees of German companies and their families, were tested for COVID-19 after they landed and will have to quarantine for two weeks.
"We did not know if this plane would leave or not" until the last minute, said passenger Alexander Ophoven before takeoff.
A second aircraft -- reserved for people whose who need to be in China for economic, commercial, scientific or technological purposes, or for urgent humanitarian reasons -- is scheduled to depart from Frankfurt for Shanghai on June 3.
There are more than 5,000 German companies operating in China, according to the local German Chamber of Commerce.
Two months after closing its borders, China is beginning to lift restrictions on foreigners.
Beijing announced on Friday that some Singapore nationals will be allowed to return from early June. They will only be allowed entry into six cities and provinces initially, including Shanghai.
The number of international flights between China and the rest of the world will increase from 134 to 407 per week as of Monday, according to the Chinese Civil Aviation Administration.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
PTI to stage nationwide protests against alleged electoral frauds
Senate continues discussion on Presidential address to Joint Sitting of Parliame ..
Masood Khan calls for Pak-US cooperation for regional peace
Interior Minister starts Margalla Trail Patrol for security
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
More Stories From World
-
Iron ore futures close higher
9 minutes ago -
Tabloid head wanted to 'protect' Trump from salacious stories
9 minutes ago -
Kenyan rugby player turned TikTok star cooks to fight depression
19 minutes ago -
Guangdong carbon market closes higher
19 minutes ago -
Sugar futures close higher
19 minutes ago -
Nuggets push Lakers to brink as Embiid's 50 points lead Sixers over Knicks
29 minutes ago
-
China high-tech capacity exposes overcapacity mantra in green energy
39 minutes ago -
Golf: PGA Zurich Classic of New Orleans scores
49 minutes ago -
Cybersecurity firm Darktrace accepts $5 bn takeover
1 hour ago -
Clean energy drives massive BHP takeover bid
2 hours ago -
Copper price tops $10,000 for first time in two years
2 hours ago -
Ukraine agriculture minister held for alleged corruption
2 hours ago