Airports prepare to reopen arrival halls that have been quiet for most of the past three years after government eases strictest pandemic measures

China facing surge in cases as it ends strict virus control, bracing for further spread over Lunar New Year; Beijing also ends criminal charges against border quarantine violators

Wave follows lifting of country's most severe pandemic restrictions last month; EU urges member states to impose testing requirements on travelers from China

XBB.1.5 strain is dominant in the US after cases doubled in just a week, and could quickly start circulating in Israel; on plus side, variant-bolstered vaccines expected to help

Official warns of 'countermeasures' to restrictions as country faces huge wave of infections after ending strict quarantine measures

Beijing has reported just 15 virus deaths as it faces huge surge since unwinding restrictions; other nations cite worries over new variants as they screen Chinese arrivals

For many, it's the 1st year's start without restrictions since beginning of pandemic; many in Ukraine travel to be with loved ones

Recession fears stoked by stock swings, rising inflation, oil price spike as West shuns Russian crude after Ukraine invasion, China virus surge and crypto decline

Measure does not apply to Israeli citizens, who have been advised to avoid all unnecessary travel to China amid surge in virus cases as Beijing lifts zero-COVID policy

Beginning January 5, America-bound passengers must test for virus no more than two days before flying, as cases in China jump following end of zero-COVID policy