South Korea authorities said on Wednesday they were trying to track down a Chinese national who tested positive for COVID-19 on arrival but went missing while waiting at a quarantine facility.

South Korea seeks Chinese national missing from Covid quarantine

China is planning to reduce COVID quarantine time for inbound travellers from 10 days to seven, reported Bloomberg on Thursday (October 20). China has a strict 'zero-COVID' policy that has been a dampener on world's second-largest economy. This has compounded fears about global recession. Global investors are closely observing for signs of relaxation in the rules.

Currently, rules in China require incoming travellers to quarantine for 10 days. This includes seven days in a hotel followed by three days of home monitoring.

Officials are targeting a cut in the quarantine period to two days in a hotel and then five days at home, Bloomberg said.

Reuters said that National Health Commission didn't immediately respond to request for comment.

Bloomberg said that it was not fully clear how the new rules would apply to foreigners who do not have residence in China.

Beijing&nbsp;tightens measures

The reported cut in quarantine comes as Beijing boosts measures to stop COVID, strengthening public checks and locking down some residential compounds after a quadrupling of its case load in recent weeks.

The number of cases is small compared to other countries. However, China's zero-COVID policy is making authorities in the capital to ratchet up preventive measures.

Beijing's health authority called for stronger screening of risky individuals and meticulous checks on people entering crowded places including supermarkets and gyms.

Some residential compounds with suspected cases were put under three-day lockdowns that could be extended if new infections emerge.

(With inputs from agencies)

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China is planning to reduce COVID quarantine time for inbound travellers from 10 days to seven, reported Bloomberg on Thursday (October 20). China has a strict 'zero-COVID' policy that has been a dampener on world's second-largest economy.

China is planning to reduce COVID quarantine time for inbound travellers from 10 days to seven, reported Bloomberg on Thursday (October 20). China has a strict 'zero-COVID' policy that has been a dampener on world's second-largest economy. This has compounded fears about global recession. Global investors are closely observing for signs of relaxation in the rules. Currently, rules in China require incoming travellers to quarantine for 10 days. This includes seven days in a hotel followed by three days of home monitoring. Officials are targeting a cut in the quarantine period to two days in a hotel and then five days at home, Bloomberg said. Reuters said that National Health Commission didn't immediately respond to request for comment. Bloomberg said that it was not fully clear how the new rules would apply to foreigners who do not have residence in China. Beijing tightens measures The reported cut in quarantine comes as Beijing boosts measures to stop COVID, strengthening public checks and locking down some residential compounds after a quadrupling of its case load in recent weeks. The number of cases is small compared to other countries. However, China's zero-COVID policy is making authorities in the capital to ratchet up preventive measures. Beijing's health authority called for stronger screening of risky individuals and meticulous checks on people entering crowded places including supermarkets and gyms. Some residential compounds with suspected cases were put under three-day lockdowns that could be extended if new infections emerge. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

China plans to shorten COVID quarantine, Beijing amps up restrictions

Ousted&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;leader Aung San&nbsp;Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;returned for hearings in a&nbsp;junta&nbsp;court&nbsp;Thursday&nbsp;after&nbsp;being quarantined when&nbsp;Covid-19 was detected&nbsp;among her staff, a source with knowledge of her case said.

The 76-year-old's civilian government was removed in a coup last year that triggered mass protests, and she faces a raft of charges that could see her sentenced to more than 150 years in jail.

Currently on trial for alleged corruption, breaching&nbsp;Myanmar's official secrets act and pressuring the election commission, Suu Kyi was placed in&nbsp;quarantine&nbsp;last week&nbsp;after&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;was found among her staff.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmars-suu-kyi-in-quarantine-after-staff-tests-covid-19-positive-466279">Myanmar's Suu Kyi 'in quarantine' after staff tests COVID-19 positive</a>

On Thursday she "appeared before the district judge" for her official secrets act trial in a special&nbsp;court&nbsp;in the military-built capital Naypyidaw, said a source with knowledge of the matter.

Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;is accused along with Australian economist Sean Turnell, who was arrested in the days following the coup last February.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.

Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;and her personal staff have been fully vaccinated against&nbsp;Covid-19 since being taken into military custody, her lawyer told AFP last July.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-army-says-will-annihilate-coup-opponents-on-crackdown-anniversary-465854">&nbsp;Myanmar army says will 'annihilate' coup opponents on crackdown anniversary</a>

She missed a hearing in September due to illness, and in October her lawyer said her health had suffered during her frequent appearances before the&nbsp;junta-run&nbsp;court.

Journalists are barred from the proceedings and her lawyers have been banned from speaking to the press.

Suu&nbsp;Kyi&nbsp;has already been sentenced to a total of six years in jail for incitement against the military, breaching&nbsp;Covid-19 rules and breaking a telecommunications law -- although she remains under house arrest while she fights other charges.

Watch |&nbsp;US determines Myanmar Junta committed genocide against Rohingya

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Ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi returned for hearings in a junta court Thursday after being quarantined when Covid-19 was detected among her staff, a source with knowledge of her case said.

Ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi returned for hearings in a junta court Thursday after being quarantined when Covid-19 was detected among her staff, a source with knowledge of her case said. The 76-year-old's civilian government was removed in a coup last year that triggered mass protests, and she faces a raft of charges that could see her sentenced to more than 150 years in jail. Currently on trial for alleged corruption, breaching Myanmar's official secrets act and pressuring the election commission, Suu Kyi was placed in quarantine last week after Covid was found among her staff. Also read | Myanmar's Suu Kyi 'in quarantine' after staff tests COVID-19 positive On Thursday she "appeared before the district judge" for her official secrets act trial in a special court in the military-built capital Naypyidaw, said a source with knowledge of the matter. Suu Kyi is accused along with Australian economist Sean Turnell, who was arrested in the days following the coup last February. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison. Suu Kyi and her personal staff have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 since being taken into military custody, her lawyer told AFP last July. Also read | Myanmar army says will 'annihilate' coup opponents on crackdown anniversary She missed a hearing in September due to illness, and in October her lawyer said her health had suffered during her frequent appearances before the junta-run court. Journalists are barred from the proceedings and her lawyers have been banned from speaking to the press. Suu Kyi has already been sentenced to a total of six years in jail for incitement against the military, breaching Covid-19 rules and breaking a telecommunications law -- although she remains under house arrest while she fights other charges. Watch | US determines Myanmar Junta committed genocide against Rohingya

Myanmar's Suu Kyi back in junta court after Covid quarantine

The United Arab Emirates, the Middle East tourism and commercial hub, over the weekend ended a requirement to wear face masks outdoors and obligatory quarantine for COVID-19 contact cases.

Fully-vaccinated passengers arriving in the country will no longer require PCR tests, said the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority in updated guidance that went into effect on Saturday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/archaeologists-dig-out-uaes-oldest-buildings-dating-back-8500-years-454418">Archaeologists dig out UAE’s oldest buildings, dating back 8,500 years</a>

"For economic and tourist sectors, physical distancing has been cancelled while mask-wearing in closed places is still mandatory," it said.

The capital Abu Dhabi also dropped a border entry requirement for a negative PCR test for those coming from other&nbsp;UAE&nbsp;emirates.

Watch |&nbsp;India-UAE landmark trade deal: First comprehensive trade deal in 10 years

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Daily coronavirus cases in the country have fallen to some 600 from close to 3,000 in January.

The United Arab Emirates, the Middle East tourism and commercial hub, over the weekend ended a requirement to wear face masks outdoors and obligatory quarantine for COVID-19 contact cases.

The United Arab Emirates, the Middle East tourism and commercial hub, over the weekend ended a requirement to wear face masks outdoors and obligatory quarantine for COVID-19 contact cases. Fully-vaccinated passengers arriving in the country will no longer require PCR tests, said the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority in updated guidance that went into effect on Saturday. Also read | Archaeologists dig out UAE’s oldest buildings, dating back 8,500 years "For economic and tourist sectors, physical distancing has been cancelled while mask-wearing in closed places is still mandatory," it said. The capital Abu Dhabi also dropped a border entry requirement for a negative PCR test for those coming from other UAE emirates. Watch | India-UAE landmark trade deal: First comprehensive trade deal in 10 years Daily coronavirus cases in the country have fallen to some 600 from close to 3,000 in January.

UAE drops face masks outdoors, quarantine for Covid contact cases