China: Authorities slightly ease domestic COVID-19 measures nationwide as of Nov. 14 /update 53

Event

The Chinese central government has slightly eased domestic COVID-19 restrictions nationwide as of Nov. 14, though it continues to pursue its zero-COVID-19 strategy nationwide. Authorities will alter the risk designation system, eliminating medium-risk locations. Officials have reduced the centralized quarantine period for COVID-19 close contacts to five days from seven; a mandatory three-day self-quarantine remains in place. Regular nucleic acid testing will continue during both periods. Officials will no longer track secondary contacts (contacts of designated close contacts) or require them to undergo centralized quarantine.

Provincial and municipal governments are encouraged to reduce widespread testing without cause. Local officials can no longer require quarantine for inbound visitors who previously completed quarantine in the city of entry. The central government has also threatened local governments that restrict transport, movement, and commercial activity beyond the national guidelines.

Despite the reduced controls, measures will continue to vary by province or city depending on COVID-19 activity. Local governments could continue to conduct mass testing drives for residents as a precaution and require individuals to present a negative COVID-19 test result to take public transport and enter airports, train stations, and subway stations. Transport operators in almost all major cities require passengers to share health code information – indicating testing and COVID-19 status - before boarding mass transit. Officials mandate facemasks on public transport.

The central government classifies districts and neighborhoods as high or low risk depending on COVID-19 activity. Officials typically issue stay-home notices for residents in high-risk locations, sometimes for prolonged periods. Entry and exit to affected neighborhoods are restricted or require testing. Authorities often close all non-essential businesses, cultural venues, and tourist sites; restrict restaurant and other business operations; and halt public transport in affected areas, depending on the outbreak's severity. Security personnel will continue to erect roadblocks and checkpoints on routes into designated high-risk communities; localized transport and business disruptions are almost certain in affected areas.

Citywide lockdowns remain possible and can take place with little warning. Authorities usually prevent residents from leaving home unless they are exempt or undergoing testing. Reports indicate delivery services and food shortages have previously occurred in some cities under lockdown orders. Lockdown measures have prompted factory closures and business disruptions. Nevertheless, local officials will probably allow companies to operate under a closed-loop system where employees live, work, and undergo routine testing on-site.

Transport
Provincial authorities can require air, train, and interprovincial bus and ferry passengers to obtain a negative PCR test result within 48 hours before departure. Individuals staying at a hotel or guest house or visiting tourist sites must hold a negative PCR test result obtained in the previous 72 hours. The National Health Commission has also recommended that interprovincial travelers undergo a PCR test upon arrival at their destination and limit cross-city travel, though those policies are not mandated. Interprovincial travelers may have to download more than one mobile app to generate health codes for their destination; glitches and interoperability issues have triggered quarantine and transport disruptions for some travelers.

Local officials can ban interprovincial travelers who have visited locations with COVID-19 cases (high-risk areas) in the last seven days and may require arrivals or departing travelers to show a negative COVID-19 test result, typically taken within 24-48 hours. Officials can also quarantine people in their jurisdiction who previously visited places designated high risk after their arrival. Reports indicate that retroactive designations have stranded hundreds of people during travel. Depending on the severity of COVID-19 activity, authorities could halt public transport, including air travel from departing cities where outbreaks occur.

Despite central government directives to ensure the movement of freight and logistics, local authorities may continue to close expressways or impose exit and entry controls during COVID-19 outbreaks. Supply chain delays and increased processing times could occur at ports in locations with strict COVID-19 measures.

Advice

Consider postponing nonessential travel in mainland China. Confirm travel reservations, as disruptions can occur without notice. Follow all official instructions and closely monitor official announcements on any other precautionary restrictions. Allow additional travel time due to screenings at airports, train stations, and other transport hubs. Make allowances for possible business disruptions.

Resources

National Health Commission