COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in China (7 December Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes with exceptions

• Citizens are allowed to enter.

• Foreign national residents may enter if they have a permanent residence permit or a resident permit with the purpose of “work”, “personal matters”, or “reunion”. They cannot arrive from Bangladesh, Belgium, France, India, Italy, Philippines, Russia, or the UK.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes with exceptions

• Entry by foreign nationals with an APEC Business Travel Card is suspended.

• Travellers will need a valid visa to enter China.

• The government has provisionally banned the entry of foreigners from Bangladesh, Belgium, Ethiopia, France, India, Italy, Philippines, Russia, the UK, and Ukraine. Those who will not be allowed entry into China include Chinese visa and/or residence permit holders.

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes

• All travellers arriving in China are subject to present negative results for both nucleic acid and IgM antibody tests issued 48 hours before boarding a flight to the country.

• Airline crew of foreign airlines:

• Are not required to undergo nucleic acid test if they have a short stay after landing then depart immediately, and do not leave apron during the transition; or

• Shall receive a nucleic acid test in the first port of entry if they need to enter the country to rest or continue to operate domestic routes. The test results will be confirmed by the local government in accordance with the requirements of epidemic prevention management. Only if the test results are negative, crews can continue the operations; or

• Are allowed to return to their home country for isolation treatment when agreed by the local joint control mechanism, if they are symptomatic, in close contact with infected persons or tested positive. Airlines and crews shall make all commitments to bear their responsibilities and also carry out strict protections

Is a test certificate allowed?

• Yes

• Test certificates issued outside of China are accepted.

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• All travellers arriving in China are subject to present negative results for both nucleic acid and IgM antibody tests issued 48 hours before boarding a flight to the country.

• Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN): Travellers need to provide NAT & lgM anti-body test result 72 prior to departure.

• Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU): Travellers need to provide NAT & lgM anti-body test result 72 prior to departure.

• Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH): Travellers need to provide NAT & lgM anti-body test result 48 prior to departure.

• Beijing Capital International Airport ( PEK): Visitors are required to present a NAT & lgM anti-body test result 48 prior to departure.

• Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG): Visitors are required to present a NAT & lgM anti-body test result 48 prior to departure.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes

• All travellers arriving in China will be screened on arrival and assigned to a 14-day quarantine. The quarantine location could be a government-selected facility or hotel at the traveller’s expense, with no control over amenities, even for those who maintain a residence in China.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• To enter China, travellers must obtain a valid visa and may be required to submit a health declaration form. Contact your local Chinese embassy for more information.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• Travellers are being asked to download and use “health kit code” apps while in China. It is needed to access different public places and businesses and track location.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• US-based Delta Airlines has resumed direct flights between China and the US. The carrier will operate two weekly flights between Seattle and Shanghai, and two between Detroit and Shanghai.

• Japan and China are planning to resume business travel. Business travellers are now permitted to make trips for both short- and long-term stays.

• All international passenger flights to Beijing will be diverted to 16 designated airports in Chengdu, Changsha, Hefei, Lanzhou, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Taiyuan, Hohhot, Jinan, Qingdao, Nanjing, Shenyang, Dalian, Zhengzhou, Shenzhen Bao’an, Xi’an, and Wuhan.

• Domestic flights within China are operating with reduced services.

• The Chinese government has begun to gradually resume direct international flights to Beijing from Cambodia, Thailand, Greece, Pakistan, Denmark, Austria, Sweden, and Canada.

• Asiana Airlines has decided to resume one flight per week on the Incheon-Ningbo route starting 6 December.

• The government has suspended all flights from India until further notice.

• Limited commercial flights are operating to and from China.

• Business and official flights are operating between Singapore and China under fast lane.

• Air Busan has decided to operate one flight a week on the Busan-Qingdao route.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• Foreign nationals coming to the mainland of China for necessary economic, trade, scientific or technological activities or out of emergency humanitarian needs may apply for visas at Chinese embassies or consulates.

• The Government has re-opened the Erenhot China-Mongolia border trading zone in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

• The Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border point between China and Nepal is open for the movement of cargo.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• In Beijing, people are now allowed to enter and leave the capital freely without being tested for COVID-19 if they are from “low-risk” areas. Restrictions remain for people from high-risk areas.

Social distancing restrictions

• Minimal

• Schools, colleges, several industries, and other places of business, such as restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, and malls, have reopened. Regular temperature checks may be carried out at these locations.

• Beijing has lowered its level of COVID-19 emergency. Parks, tourist attractions, gyms, libraries, and museums will reopen gradually. Conventions, exhibitions, sports events, and performances, cinemas in the city will gradually open with limitations.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• Masks are required.

• Cities and provinces within China may require quarantine for domestic travellers, regardless of nationality. Travel between different parts of China is subject to local restrictions on movement and quarantine arrangements. Quarantine is enforced at the neighbourhood level. Travellers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put in place with little or no notice.

• Restrictions on public transport and private cars have been lifted in most cities.

• Temperature checks and health screenings are being carried out at all domestic travel hubs across China, including domestic airports, train stations, subway stations, and inland water ports. Such screenings may increase passenger clearance time at these facilities.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Non-essential shops are open.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Hotels are open.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are open.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes

• Tourist sites are open.

Museums and heritage sites open?

• Yes

• Museums and tourist sites have reopened with strict social distancing rules in place.

Personal care services open?

• Yes

• Gyms are open.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Wearing face masks is mandatory in most cities across China, and people are required to maintain a minimum distance of 1.5 meters from one another.

Other

• Some private hospitals may refuse to admit travellers who have been in the United States in the last 14 days before their arrival in China.

Advice

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans.

To reduce the risk of infection by this virus if travelling in or from affected areas:

• Avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections.

• Wearing a mask (face covering) is recommended in public places and when social distancing is not possible.

• Wash hands frequently, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

• Travellers with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, and wash hands).

• Older travellers and those with underlying health issues may be at risk for more severe disease and should discuss travel to affected areas with their healthcare provider.

• Seek medical attention immediately if symptoms develop after visiting affected areas where transmission is occurring