Man, and here I was thinking the nasal coronavirus test was unpleasant.
In this post:
China’s controversial anal coronavirus test
China’s borders are largely closed to foreigners, and those arriving from abroad are subjected to a strict monitored quarantine. Not only is the quarantine now up to 21 days, but it also includes several tests throughout the quarantine.
It’s being reported that as of recently, China seems to now consistently be requiring anal swab tests for COVID-19 at certain airports, which has prompted complaints from tourists, diplomats, and more. The Japanese government recently complained about this policy after some Japanese visitors stated they went through “great psychological pain” because of this testing.
The way this works, a sterile cotton swab is inserted 3-5 centimeters (1.2-2 inches) into the anus before being rotated and then removed. As an alternative, and due to objections from some governments, select foreign visitors are now allowed to submit stool samples.
The anal coronavirus test is in addition to the nasal one — for example, during a 21 day quarantine it could be normal to have both two nasal tests and two anal tests.
Why anal?
The alleged reason for these anal swabs is that coronavirus traces can be detectable in the anus for much longer than in the respiratory tract. The virus lives longer in the anus than the respiratory tract, meaning that anal testing might provide fewer false negatives.
The general strategy seems to be to first perform a respiratory test, and then in the following weeks perform an anal test. A positive test doesn’t necessarily mean that someone can spread the virus, though — it’s believed that inactive traces unable to replicate could also show a positive result.
Bottom line
While China’s borders are largely closed, those arriving from abroad are not only being subjected to a quarantine of up to 21 days, but are also being requested to take multiple anal coronavirus tests. With this, a cotton swab is inserted 3-5 centimeters into the anus, twisted, and then removed.
I’ll be curious to see how long this testing policy sticks around. Here’s to hoping that coronavirus sniffing dogs are the future of testing, and not these anal swabs…
Ben / Lucky -
With China-US tensions so high at the moment I think that this post is inappropriate. It also has nothing to do with points and miles. While one or more Western media sources had an article about it, that doesn't make it really true. If just a few people had the anal swab in China then they would report it. Consider that that most of the Western media is anti-China and...
Ben / Lucky -
With China-US tensions so high at the moment I think that this post is inappropriate. It also has nothing to do with points and miles. While one or more Western media sources had an article about it, that doesn't make it really true. If just a few people had the anal swab in China then they would report it. Consider that that most of the Western media is anti-China and they would find some small thing and turn it into a bigger thing. I know at least a handful of people that returned to China recently and NONE of them had the anal swab. Very few had 21 day quarantines as well. Many may not agree with China's methods of handling the virus, but they had the only positive GDP last year. Once you are in China there are few travel restrictions within unless you go to a high risk place.
So - China is the place to go for where the sun doesn’t shine. I always wondered what that meant.
Well I guess that makes China the asshole end of nowhere for me...
Censored like a domestic Chinese Bullletin board, that’s what OMAAT has become. Xie Xie Lucky!
another reason to avoid one of the more annoying countries in the world....
Well, they created the virus, so they can try the anal test?? Only in China!
"...the swabs were going smooth until it got to Karen's turn; she got really anal about them and called the police."
Having just experienced a prostate examination with doctors finger and a separate Cytoscopy afterwards , an anal swab seems harmless .
Look up Cytoscopy if you dont know , its a nasty !!!
lmao China really wants to destroy their tourism
I wonder whether they really want to scare off travelers with this, because they don’t want many people entering the country at this point.
https://tvdatabase.fandom.com/wiki/South_Park:_Cartman_Gets_an_Anal_Probe
South Park did it first
What is the difference between the anal and nasal swab? The taste?
Can you choose something bigger, I mean other than a cotton swab? Asking for a friend.
Bummer. I heard if you refuse they deport you to Uranus.
Well... there goes my plan of returning to China anytime soon to visit Xian & Chengdu!
@Canadian Platinum
At the present time it is believed Ben Dover is on vacation with Turner Rowned
This is dumb. People stop being infectious well before they stop testing positive. Now they’ve figured out a way to prolong the non-infectious positive period...
" lot of countries have plateaued in daily infection levels at somewhat higher levels than their first wave … but saying their vaccination programs are a success." Yep. The US is going to see another surge most likely because of the high plateau. Some of these states haven't learned. They keep rushing to reopen and get slammed with a surge again. Just have to look to Europe to see how it plays out. Hopefully we...
" lot of countries have plateaued in daily infection levels at somewhat higher levels than their first wave … but saying their vaccination programs are a success." Yep. The US is going to see another surge most likely because of the high plateau. Some of these states haven't learned. They keep rushing to reopen and get slammed with a surge again. Just have to look to Europe to see how it plays out. Hopefully we avoid any variants that avoid the vaccine and can get back to normal by the end of summer when enough people are vaccinated.
All sewerage works are tested here to pick up traces of virus fragments. So then we know which locations to do a testing blitz. I guess that happens in China too as we use much the same virus control methodology as them.
After you have been infected, the virus sheds out of your body in your waste. So a fecal sample is a really easy way to be sure what's happening inside you and...
All sewerage works are tested here to pick up traces of virus fragments. So then we know which locations to do a testing blitz. I guess that happens in China too as we use much the same virus control methodology as them.
After you have been infected, the virus sheds out of your body in your waste. So a fecal sample is a really easy way to be sure what's happening inside you and see if you are excreting viral particles from an old infection, or otherwise.
Unfortunately as yet, there is still no proof that all the virus sheds in x amount of time or if it can remain latent in the body. That's one reason why China is so picky about who it lets in.
I guess this is a cultural thing as we old men have to do poo tests here for gut cancer, and that all seems ordinary procedure.
The problem then would be for those who have had a previous infection, and still shedding viral fragments in their poo. They might be refused entry, or put in quarantine for a lengthy time. This has a possible ramification for those wishing to travel to China from countries where the virus has become widespread /endemic. A lot of countries have plateaued in daily infection levels at somewhat higher levels than their first wave ... but saying their vaccination programs are a success. I guess China sees those daily infection graphs from its usual former trading partners of Germany, USA,Canada, UK, France, Italy, etc. etc... and says "pass me the anal swabs", as one does.
@Philly380 Wanna look up how full the flights are? Doesn’t look like using RJs will be able to accommodate such a large demand.
What does Ben Dover think of this?
Do you think this will stay in effect for visitors to China for the Olympics next year? What about for Olympic athletes? I find this very concerning.
One of the few countries that tried so hard to prevent its own citizens to come back to their own country :D
Yes, that's my country - China
Also Chinese government and WHO should be held accountable for this pandemic, they teamed up to cover this up at the beginning of outbreak. hehe
Some good comedians in here.
Thanks guys.
Boy did I just have some good laughs, thanks @ OliverBoliver and many others!
That was a thorough and in-depth investigation that the WHO did into the origins of the virus. A dedicated team of professionals spent weeks investigating all possible avenues of infection. They discovered it was imported into China in frozen food.
Well, that's settled then. We can rest easy knowing that China has the world's best interests at heart.
Consider yourself lucky you're not a Uigher. They get the same procedure daily, except with a wooden bat. Yeah, China isn't our enemy.
Everyone eat Toco Bell before landing.
If this makes flying stop until the pandemic is not solve, why not. Nobody wants to stit their back just for the sake of flying. It should make people averse to fly for non essential reasons and for holidays.
They could at least throw in a free colonoscopy.
Does this new testing policy include Hong Kong as well?
Have been to China a number of times. Until this policy is changed its off the list of countries I will visit. Hopefully there will an exemption for fully vaccinated people in the future.
I'm probably wrong but isn't main goal to identify those people who may be contagious? I know people can still test positive weeks after no longer being able to spread it. I
I've never had any interest in visiting china with its current government.
China is responsible for unleashing this plague on us and I refuse to support a totalitarian state with my travel dollars.
The world needs to de-couple from China until the communist regime collapses.
In other news, United has seen an increase in bookings between San Francisco and China.
They're just following the science.
@Dick Bupkiss
BBC - https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56245404
The New Yorn Times - https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/04/world/asia/china-anal-swab-tests.html
@Dick Bupkiss: "Please cite a credible news source for this so people can judge your credibility…"
A simple Google search would have shown this article from the New York Times this morning, but you keep going on thinking that Ben is the next Alex Jones.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/04/world/asia/china-anal-swab-tests.html
"It’s being reported that as of recently..."
Really, by whom -- Qanon? The Russian "Internet Research Agency"?
This has been a far right-wing screed for months. If you're going to repeat Trumpist propaganda, I'd like to see your news source. Without that, this just looks like disinformation. Please cite a credible news source for this so people can judge your credibility...
Like I needed another reason to NOT travel to China.
This anal test requirement is a real pain in the ass
Taking a leaf out of Emirates shower attendant, Airlines flying into China should have a bathroom attendant who can perform this swab test and then wipe your butt.
Well, that stinks ! Anal swab selfies allowed ?
Never thought I'd read a post on OMAAT with the subhead of 'why anal'.
Lives are essentially back to normal there. So I’m not sure if it’s that a big deal for a sense of normalcy.
Well this is what happens when people subordinate their decision making process to the government.
Compared to 6pm curfew in Paris, hard to say which one is worse.
The emperor longed for the Olympics and then this anal thing happened .So what's going on here?
Or can I at least request that?
Do you have to use the same swab?
Memo to self: Avoid China.
Thank you @Lucky for getting to the bottom of this.
@ Greg @ Chris -- I meant "too" not "to"...
@ Greg @ Chris -- The swab is way to small though.
harder daddy, i mean...harder officer, harder. oh yes, turn it just like that aHHH
China trying to attract LGBTQP+ travellers?
"Bottom line".....I see what you did there....
@Greg - your response made me laugh. Couldn’t agree with you more!
China seems destined to be a much smaller part of the global aviation community than pre-covid.
This is pretty common method of testing for STIs and not too bad at all. Honestly compared to the nasal one where they go all they way in, this sounds less uncomfortable. My testing site thankfully does the anterior nasal swab which is even better.
with this kind of tests, airlines probably better off by sending RJs to PVG, PEK, CTU, CAN, etc because most people wouldn't put up with this test + 21 day quarantine for long time to come.
Sounds like a fun free treat if you're into it, and everyone with a prostate should be into it.
Hopefully the dont use the same swab with the nasal and anal test