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Travel to China to get easier from January 8 as Covid barriers come down
- State Council announces travel changes that will ease travel into the country and is expected to prompt a rebound in Chinese heading abroad
- Hospitals around the country told to boost intensive care capacity as part of Beijing’s ‘smooth transition’ away from zero-Covid
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Zhuang Pinghuiin Beijing
From January 8, travellers to China will only need to present a negative PCR test result from the previous 48 hours at customs to enter the country, the State Council announced on Monday night.
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The State Council said China would officially scrap centralised quarantine and Covid-19 tests on arrival from that date, confirming an earlier report by the South China Morning Post.
Travellers will also no longer have to apply to Chinese embassies for a health code before departure.
Even if passengers present with a fever at customs, they can take a rapid antigen test and if positive with mild symptoms, can isolate at home. Travellers with severe symptoms will be encouraged to seek medical treatment.
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Body bags fill corridors at Chongqing funeral parlour as China battles Covid surge
Body bags fill corridors at Chongqing funeral parlour as China battles Covid surge
Visa applications for business, study and family reunions will be processed and outbound travel by Chinese citizens – which has shrunk to almost zero for the past three years – will resume.
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