China: Authorities ease COVID-19 rules for inbound travelers and lift flight curbs Nov. 12 /update 1

Event

Officials in China have eased COVID-19 rules for international travelers as of Nov. 12. Under the new measures, quarantine for inbound travelers will reduce from seven to five days at government-designated facilities. Arrivals must continue to undergo three additional days of self-quarantine at home. Passengers will also need to take a COVID-19 test once within 48 hours before boarding instead of twice. Additionally, authorities will end a flight suspension mechanism that banned inbound flight routes that had carried COVID-19 cases.

International Restrictions
China continues to impose tight border restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The government bans entry for most foreign nationals. However, foreigners with valid Chinese residence permits for long-term study, APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) holders, people traveling at the invitation of provincial or municipal governments, and some family members of foreign employees with emergency humanitarian needs can apply to enter the country. Authorities also permit foreigners fully vaccinated with US- or Chinese-produced COVID-19 vaccines to apply for visas for work, business, or humanitarian reasons. Diplomatic personnel and C visa holders, generally flight and shipping crew members, are exempt from entry bans.

Essential business travel from several countries, including Singapore and South Korea, can occur under fast-track arrangements to specific cities and municipalities. Companies or government agencies can apply for special passes for inbound visitors, who must test negative for COVID-19 before departure and obtain a visa. Passengers must undergo COVID-19 testing upon arrival and self-isolate at designated facilities until their results are available. Arriving passengers testing positive for COVID-19 will undergo treatment at their own expense.

Authorities require most inbound passengers to take a PCR test within 48 hours of boarding and may require additional COVID-19 testing in each country they transit. Officials could modify testing requirements for entrants at short notice; respective Chinese missions will update country-specific rules.

All authorized passengers must apply for a health certificate via the local Chinese diplomatic mission. Authorities have adjusted health certificate requirements for some countries, including the US, permitting travelers to China to use transit flights. Chinese citizens must update their information through WeChat to obtain a health code before boarding flights. The government continues to conduct on-arrival health screenings, including body temperature scans and nucleic acid testing. International arrivals in some locations, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Qingdao, may be subject to mandatory anal COVID-19 swabs. Most international travelers must quarantine for five days at government-designated facilities at their own cost, submit to regular testing, receive a negative test result before exiting quarantine, and undergo three additional days of self-quarantine.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) manages international airline flight volume based on COVID-19 testing outcomes for passengers. Chinese and US regulators continue to limit available outbound flights. Authorities also restrict Chinese airlines' international operations and passenger capacity on aircraft. Some airlines continue to suspend services to and from mainland China due to significantly decreased demand. Land border crossings remain restricted to cargo transport. However, border crossings are prone to closures and processing delays during increased disease activity, and freight backlogs remain possible. The border between Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, and Macau is open; however, authorities could continue to restrict travelers to one entry and exit per day at the Gongbei, Qingmao, and Wanzai checkpoints.

Advice

Consider postponing nonessential travel in mainland China. Delay trips if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they could prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Confirm travel reservations and scheduled international flights. Consult Chinese diplomatic missions for details on restrictions before any travel, as measures can vary by location and change without publicity. Follow all official instructions.

Resources

National Health Commission