Jan 10, Post-Zero Covid Travel News You Might Have Missed

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Thailand offering visitors a longer period of stay until Mar 31

Thailand is extending the period of stay from 30 days to 45 days for tourists from countries and regions that qualify for visa exemption and from 15 days to 30 days for those eligible for visa on arrival, until Mar 31, 2023. The announcement was made on Monday after the first group of Chinese tourists arrived at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport since Thailand removed the requirement of vaccination before entry.

Chinese rush to renew passports as Covid border restrictions eased

After China lifted many of its entry restrictions on Sunday there has been a rush of Chinese people renewing their travel documents ahead of the coming Spring Festival. According to the Global Times, a bureau in Beijing has reported that the number of applications and handling volumes for Chinese nationals have returned to pre-Covid levels. 

Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway sees rise in number of passengers for ski season

The Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway, which links the two co-hosts of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, has seen a rising number of passengers recently, Xinhua Net reports. This is the first ski season since COVID-19 measures were eased and the Travel Journey Card, which was required for cross-provincial travel, was scrapped. 

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Countries With Covid Testing Rules for Arrivals from China

As of press time, 14 countries currently have Covid testing requirements or travel restrictions in place for air travelers coming from China.

• South Korea – Proof of negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours or antigen self-test result taken within 24 hours prior to departure. All passengers must undergo another PCR test after arriving in the country.

  (Source: https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/cn-zh/brd/m_21043/view.do?seq=87#)
  
  

• Canada – Proof of negative PCR or antigen self-test result taken 48 hours prior to departure.
  

  (Source: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-19-pre-boarding-test-requirements-china-hong-kong-macao)
  
  

• Australia – Proof of negative PCR test result taken 48 hours prior to departure.
  

  (Source: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/covid19/)
  
  

• France – Proof of negative PCR test result taken 48 hours prior to departure.
  

  (Source: https://solidarites-sante.gouv.fr/actualites/actualites-du-ministere/article/mise-en-place-de-mesures-sanitaires-pour-les-passagers-en-provenance-de-chine)
  
  

• Qatar – Proof of negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours prior to departure for arrivals from Chinese mainland.
  

  (Source: https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/travel-and-return-policy/Pages/default.aspx)
  
  

• USA – Proof of negative PCR test result with two calendar days validity or proof of recovery from Covid.*
  

  (Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html)
  
  

• UK – Proof of negative PCR test result taken within two calendar days before departure for arrivals from Chinese mainland (direct or indirect flights).**
  (Source: British Embassy official WeChat)

• India – Proof of negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of departure for arrivals from Chinese mainland and Hong Kong SAR.
  (Source: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/)
  
  

• Italy – Proof of negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of departure or negative antigen test result from within 48 hours before departure for arrivals from Chinese mainland.
  

  (Source: https://www.esteri.it/en/ministero/normativaonline/focus-cittadini-italiani-in-rientro-dall-estero-e-cittadini-stranieri-in-italia/)
  
  

• Israel – Proof of negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of departure for non-Israelis.
  

  (Source: https://corona.health.gov.il/en/abroad/arriving-by-air/)
  

• Spain – Proof of full vaccination (two shots) against Covid or negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours prior to departure or negative antigen test result taken within 24 hours prior to departure.
  

  (Source: https://www.sanidad.gob.es/en/profesionales/saludPublica/ccayes/alertasActual/nCov/spth.htm)
  
  

• Malaysia – Mandatory testing on arrival for all arrivals from Chinese mainland and screening for fever and other symptoms.
  

  (Source: https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/malaysia-responds-to-chinas-lifted-covid-restrictions-with-plans-to-tighten-borders)
  
  

• Japan – Testing all arrivals from Chinese mainland on arrival plus proof of negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of departure from Jan 8.
  

  (Source: https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html)
  
  

• Morocco – All arrivals from the Chinese mainland, regardless of nationality, are banned from entering the country.
  

  (Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230102_08/)
  
  

• European Union – Has recommended all member states require negative Covid tests from all arrivals from China, but not mandatory.
  

Unless mentioned otherwise, all above countries require negative test results from arrivals coming from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong SAR, and Macao SAR.

*Requirements pertain to those entering the US via Incheon International Airport (Seoul, South Korea), Toronto International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport (both in Canada), who have been to the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong SAR, or Macao SAR within ten days before their flight.

**Excludes Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

If you want to keep up-to-date with travel outside and around China, or things to do in Beijing, you can join our new Safe & Sane international and domestic travel WeChat groups or our Beijing Explorers group. To join, add TBJButler on WeChat (QR code below) and tell them which group you want to join.

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Images: Unsplash, Canva

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