China drops covid flight bans, cuts central quarantine to 5 days

In major international travel news, Chinese authorities have lifted a mechanism of covid flight suspensions, according to an announcement made by the State Council today. 

The authority has released a whole set of guidelines in a statement today, including changes that will bring an end to a long-running penalty system called circuit-breaker, which temporarily halts certain international flight routes from coming into China for one to two weeks, depending on the number of covid-positive passengers they carry on board.

It has also adjusted the pre-boarding PCR test requirement for inbound travellers from having to have two negative results within 48 hours to one negative result within 48 hours. 

Another major change regarding international travel is reduced quarantine, The previous 7+3 quarantine arrangement will now be cut to 5+3 days, meaning a five-day central quarantine stay in hotels and a three-day self-isolation period at home for international arrivals.

It hasn't been announced yet when the new rules will be effective. The tweak of entry policies comes following more international flights were seen restored by several airlines this year, most recent of which including Air China, China Eastern and China Southern Airlines, who are planning to resume more frequent routes from various Chinese cities to nearby Asian capitals like Tokyo, Seoul, and Bangkok from October, according to local media.

Albeit the 'dynamic covid-zero policy' still remains to be the big picture on the ground for now, here's one positive signal at last for a bit more ease in international travel restriction. 

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