RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – China Southern Airlines has ceased flying passengers from Brazil to China, “in accordance with the prevention and control requirements” of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Considering that there is currently no direct connection between Brazil and China, the decision ends yet another of the few travel alternatives between the two countries.
In a statement, the company says the “temporary” suspension covers all passengers, including Chinese citizens, who intend to travel from Brazil to China through another country.
Twenty-five countries are now on the Guangzhou-based airline’s ban list, including Mozambique. China Southern Airlines operates scheduled flights between the French capital, Paris, and Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong, a province in southern China near Macau.
Chinese flag carrier Air China had also suspended operations last September on the route linking the Brazilian city of São Paulo to the Chinese capital, Beijing, through the Spanish capital, Madrid.
The suspension was initially in place until late March, but has been extended to at least June 30th. The resumption of flights depends on the pandemic situation in Brazil, Air China said.
Chinese infected
The city of Shanghai, in eastern China, has registered an imported Covid-19 case in a Chinese citizen coming from Brazil, announced on Wednesday, April 28th, the Shanghai Health Commission.
According to a statement, the man had traveled through Switzerland and landed in Shanghai on Monday, April 26th, and has been placed in isolation for a mandatory quarantine period.
The Chinese man developed Covid-19 symptoms and ultimately tested positive for the novel coronavirus, and is currently undergoing treatment at a Shanghai hospital.
Source: Agência Brasil