China Pause Passport Renewals To Prevent Spread Of Covid-19

China has stopped issuing and renewing passports for non-urgent purposes to minimize travel, citing the recent COVID-19 and its Omicron variant surge. The passports for individuals who need to travel abroad for study or employment, stated reports would only be issued. ''It will issue passport renewals for individuals looking to travel abroad for leisure are false,'' said the authority. Notably, China took the step to clamp down citizens, restricting movement.