Guangzhou airport applies stricter screening measures

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport introduces red, yellow, orange, and green categories to separate arriving passengers, offering precise and targeted tests to prevent COVID-19 cross-infection starting from March 17. [Photo/southcn.com]

A new color-marked category has been added to the current red, yellow, and green categories to separate passengers at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, offering precise and targeted tests to prevent novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cross-infection starting from March 17.

The new color, orange, stands for passengers coming from a country or region that has been severely affected by COVID-19 or who have passed through one. Currently, all Chinese passengers entering Guangdong from overseas will have to go through a 14-day quarantine.

"The new measure will relieve the pressure of the airport when several international flights arrive together," said Wang Xiaoyong, deputy general manager of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Co. "We are trying to realize the goal of finishing screenings for flights from affected countries or regions within three hours."

Wang noted that the number of passengers entering the country through Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport has been increasing and the number of international flights arriving at the airport will reach 30 per day. The number of passengers arriving has reached about 5,000 on March 17.