Canada on Saturday said it would require travelers on Canadian-bound flights departing China to test negative for COVID-19.

The requirements, which take effect on Thursday, apply to all travelers two years of age and older arriving on flights in Canada originating from the Hong Kong, the mainland or Macao.

Travelers will be required to provide evidence of a negative Covid-19 test result, taken no more than two days before departure, to the airline prior to boarding.

The temporary measure will be in place for 30 days and be reassessed as more data becomes available, the Canadian government said.

Foreign Ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, on Thursday said that all countries should take a science-based and proportionate approach, and treat people from all countries on an equal footing.

He stressed that pandemic measures should not affect normal people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.

South Korea, Spain and France on Friday joined a growing list of countries, including the United States and India, that have imposed Covid tests for travelers from China. (Reuters/RTHK)