China is set to reopen its borders and drop all COVID quarantine requirements starting on January 8, 2023. This is the final step in shedding three years of a zero-Covid policy and pivoting to living with the virus.
Chinese officials have announced that they will reopen their borders to foreign travellers and drop the 14-day quarantine requirement for visitors. The decision to lift all restrictions on international travel comes after an extensive period of coronavirus prevention measures that have been in place since the start of the pandemic in late 2019. In 2020, foreign travellers were only allowed into China if they had a valid residence permit or employment visa.
This decision has come as a relief to travellers who have been unable to visit family or friends in China or take advantage of business opportunities due to the strict restrictions imposed on international travel over the last three years. However, it also means that travellers will need to be aware of any potential health risks associated with travelling abroad and be prepared to take necessary precautions while in China.
Let’s break down what this means for travellers planning a trip to China soon.
New Entry Requirements
In order for travellers to enter China, they will need to present a negative PCR test result within 48 hours of their arrival time at customs. Fortunately, this requirement is much simpler than before. In the past, travellers had to apply for a health code from Chinese embassies before departure, which was often time-consuming and tedious.
If travellers show signs of fever upon arrival, they can take a rapid antigen test and if positive but displaying mild symptoms, they can isolate at home. Those with severe symptoms are encouraged to seek medical treatment immediately. This move towards testing-as-you-go is an effort by China to make travel as convenient and safe as possible for international visitors.
More Flight Options
Additionally, airlines operating flights into China will no longer be subject to restrictions such as “Five-One” policy – which limits flights from any one airline between two cities to one per week.
It is expected that with the lifting of quarantine requirements, airlines will begin offering more flights into China from other countries around the world, making it convenient for travellers.
