The US government said on Friday it would suspend 44 China-bound flights from the United States by four Chinese carriers in response to the Chinese government’s decision to suspend some US carrier flights over COVID-19 concerns.

China still maintains strict border protection measures, including cutting back on incoming international flights and allowing a flight route to be suspended if there are too many COVID-19 cases recorded on flights. China previously barred some inbound flights by Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Airlines after passengers on earlier flights tested positive for the virus.

The US Department of Transportation said that the measures disrupted the operations of US airlines even though they have ensured all safety procedures when operating flights. The US order limits flights between January 30 and March 29 by Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines.

Source: VOV5