A Reuters report said around one-quarter of U.S. embassy and consular staff would choose to leave "as soon as possible," amid concerns that Chinese health authorities could mandate hospital isolation and separate parents from children as part of a zero-tolerance COVID-19 policy. The U.S. government has failed to exempt American officials from the "intrusive pandemic control measures," sources told the news agency.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters in Beijing on Wednesday that the country's public health measures were rigorous and scientific, and its policies effective.