Govt to blacklist passengers for providing wrong health information

China will intensify the punishment of inbound passengers who conceal or falsify their health conditions and travel histories, in a bid to curb imported COVID-19 cases, said an official with the General Administration of Customs on Monday.

Most people entering China have reported their health conditions honestly, but there are still cases of people who hid their travel histories to countries seriously hit by the outbreak, took medicine before entering the country and concealed fever and coughing symptoms, said Song Yueqian, deputy director of the administration's Department of Health Quarantine.

Customs authorities will levy fines of up to 30,000 yuan ($4,230) for violations, and people who have seriously violated laws and regulations will be handed over to law enforcement authorities, Song said at a news conference.

All violators will be put on the credit blacklist by customs' authorities, their personal belongings and those of fellow travelers will be unpacked for inspection, and their deliveries and mail also will be unpacked for inspection, he said.

If a violator is the legal representative or on the management staff of enterprises administered by Customs authorities, their violations will be considered to evaluate the credibility of the enterprises, he said.

Customs authorities will report violations to offenders' supervisors or employers if they are public officials or work at State-owned enterprises, he said.

They also will keep exposing the illegal behaviors through the Customs website and the media, he said, adding that the information will be shared with local authorities for further punishment.