Web Alert: China tightens quarantine measures against Zika virus

Chinese Entry-Exit Inspection & Quarantine Bureau (CIQ) has issued a ‘Notice on Prevention and Control of Zika Virus into China’. This requires people from the affected regions to declare themselves to the CIQ before entering or leaving China if they have symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle and joint pain or rash. 

The notice also requires vehicles and containers coming from the affected regions to maintain effective measures to eliminate mosquitoes. Vessels arriving into China from the affected countries are required to obtain a mosquito eradication certificate issued by authorities of the affected country; else the ship could be subjected to the inspection by local CIQ office. The inspection procedures may vary at different ports.
 
In view of the enhanced inspection and requirement by Chinese quarantine authorities against the Zika virus, vessels that sail from ports in the affected countries to China are recommended to duly comply with the local regulations, so as to avoid any possible delay when calling Chinese ports. Vessels not holding a mosquito eradication certificate are suggested to cooperate with local quarantine officials in order to avoid any trouble.
 
For more details, please refer to the attached Huatai Insurance Agency & Consultant Service Ltd circular no. 1603.​