10 Oct 2022 | 08:11 AM UTC
China: Authorities maintaining border controls to limit the spread of COVID-19 as of Oct. 10
China maintaining tight COVID-19 measures as of Oct. 10. Restrictions vary by location. Business, transport disruptions possible.
Event
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 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 within 48 hours of departure from Singapore or 72 hours before departure from South Korea and obtain a visa. Passengers must undergo COVID-19 testing upon arrival and self-isolate at designated facilities until their results are available. Singapore travelers must also adhere to a preplanned itinerary, refrain from using public transport - except for private hire vehicles - for the first 14 days and download and use a health pass while in mainland China. 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, another PCR test within 12-24 hours before departure, depending on their location, and additional COVID-19 testing in each country they transit. Shortened testing windows may apply to some places, and officials may require passengers from specific locations to take an additional PCR test 72 hours before departure. Authorities 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 seven 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. Authorities could suspend a carrier's route at short notice if more than five passengers test positive for COVID-19. 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.
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.
