China makes anal swab mandatory for all foreign arrivals

[Refractive Reflections]

China makes anal swab mandatory for all foreign arrivals even after complaints from Japan, US

• Foreign visitors to China will have to undergo an anal swab test or give a stool sample to test for COVID-19.

By Tanya Diente
March 5, 2021 08:18 GMT

https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/china-make...pan-us-1688371

China has made anal swabs mandatory for all international arrivals in the country. They believe that the procedure is more effective by detecting COVID-19 from faecal deposits rather than from respiratory swabs.

The tests are required for foreign visitors in some cities only including Qingdao in East China's Shandong Province, Beijing, and Shanghai. It is mandatory in hotspot regions or when there are positive cases on the same plane. The swabs are needed before patients complete quarantine periods. Foreign arrivals to Xiamen, South China's Fujian Province, and Tianjin do not need to have anal COVID-19 tests.

An employee of the Shanghai Centre for Disease Control (CDC) told the Global Times on Tuesday that anal swabs are needed if there are more than five people on the same plane who test positive for COVID-19. They have to go through a full set of tests including nasal/throat swab, blood and phlegm test, and anal swab. The same procedure applies to visitors who came from countries where COVID-19 cases are high or they tested positive upon arrival. If a person shows symptoms of diarrhea, he or she must also get an anal swab.

Meanwhile, a representative for the epidemic control department in the Daxing district of Beijing said that "general international travelers" to Beijing need three tests: anal and nasal swab, as well as environment sample testing. "If people are not familiar with the procedure for taking an anal swab test, our employees will help explain how it will be done," the representative said.

Shanghai-based doctor Lu Hongzhou suggested an alternative for the anal swabs if people find it humiliating. They can provide a stool sample to test for COVID-19 at the airport and according to The Times UK, South Korea appears to be amenable to this compromise.

An anal swab involves inserting a cotton swab about three to five centimetres into the rectum. Then it is rotated, removed, and sealed in a sample container for COVID-19 testing. It takes about ten seconds to complete. While it is a quick process, some do not feel comfortable with it especially Japanese nationals who visited the country. They complained to the Japanese embassy in China that the experience brought them "psychological pain." US diplomats subjected to the test also raised their concern about the "undignified" procedure.

[Coola Yagami]

In a few months we should see headlines about China wondering why foreign tourism has dropped to insane numbers.

Hey, YOU GUYS released the virus, you should be doing that to yourselves, not innocent outsiders.

[Iroh]

Originally Posted by Coola Yagami

In a few months we should see headlines about China wondering why foreign tourism has dropped to insane numbers.

Hey, YOU GUYS released the virus, you should be doing that to yourselves, not innocent outsiders.

You got that right! If I go there, I am going to make sure that I have had A LOT of Taco Bell beforehand!

[Sumac]

I want to make a joke about this, but it will feel as if its coming out of ass.

[FrederikWolferson]

Im beginning to wonder if this is just ritual humiliation or something.

[IndigoErth]

Well, good thing I never had any intentions to ever travel to China anyhow.

Why doesn't it make more sense to just require proof of a negative test before people get on that plan to go there?? Even if it can be detected that way, I hardly see how that would be more evident or easier than swabbing areas related to the respiratory tract. And I thought Japan was the odd one...

Though I was first imagining a line for this at the airport and wouldn't have put that past them. lol

[Andrew NDB]

They're basically just saying, "Don't come here!"

Which is pretty much what they've always said. Only now under threat of anal probing.

[IndigoErth]

If their intention was to discourage international travelers, then I suppose it's a rather non-aggressive way to do it. But I feel bad for business people who have to go for their company. lol Eek. They deserve bonus pay.

[Leo656]

Hey, there's some people out there who'd pay good money for that kinda thing.

[Iroh]

It is sad though. You have to be violated just to step foot into another country. Can you swab yourself or are the officers already waiting with the q-tips in hand?

[Coola Yagami]

Originally Posted by Leo656

Hey, there's some people out there who'd pay good money for that kinda thing.

Just imagine the next time Chun Li wants to visit her homeland. They can lose s hand in there.

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by Iroh

It is sad though. You have to be violated just to step foot into another country.

On the other hand... here in the U.S. we're suddenly letting in and letting loose thousands of illegal immigrants without any sort of COVID testing whatsoever.

[Iroh]

Originally Posted by Coola Yagami

Just imagine the next time Chun Li wants to visit her homeland. They can lose s hand in there.

I feel sorry for the one that has to swab Zangief. Your hand will be quickly broken off in the Red Cyclone!