Latest inbound requirements on travel from China
Word count: 1200
Time estimated: 9 min
The lifting of COVID restrictions in China on both inbound and outbound tourism has triggered a wave of travel and reignited Chinese people's passion for offshore holidays. However, some countries have tightened entry requirements for travelers from China. Double-check the entry policies of your destination before departure. Here are some of them.
Italy
From December 28, 2022 to January 31, 2023, all travelers coming from China need to provide COVID-19 antigen swabs taking 48 hours before inbounding or a PCR test taking 72 hours before inbounding. All travelers coming from China need to undergo an antigen test upon arrival at the airport, or within 48 hours of entering the territory at the nominated institutions.
Spain
The arrivals panel shows a flight from Chongqing (China) at the Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas airport on January 3 in Madrid, Spain.
All travelers arriving from China need to provide a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination.
France
Arrival of Air China C933 flight at Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport from Beijing, China.
The French government announced that it will require travelers from China to present a negative COVID-19 test no less than 48 hours before departure. Passengers will also be required to wear a mask in flight and commit to undergoing random testing on arrival.
Sweden
The government of Sweden requires a negative COVID-19 test for travelers from China. The requirement is in effect from January 7 to January 28. It covers all travelers, exempted from the requirement are diplomats, children under the age of 12, citizens of Sweden or other EU/EEA countries, and persons with the status of long-term residence in EU and EEA (including people with residence permits in EU and EEA).
The Netherlands
Travelers above 12 years old arriving from China, whose final destination is the Netherlands, must have a negative PCR test result upon their arrival in the Netherlands. This extra precaution was taken from January 10. In addition, and with immediate effect, people traveling on flights to and from China are urgently advised to wear a medical face mask.
Belgium
Belgium will test wastewater from planes arriving from China for new COVID variants as part of new steps against the spread of the coronavirus, the government announced on January 2.
Belgium is also asking travelers from China to test themselves for COVID-19 if they show symptoms seven days after arriving, but will not enforce this measure.
UK
From January 5, travelers from China to the UK will be required to show a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than two days prior to departure. In addition, a sample of passengers will also be subject to testing upon arrival.
Australia
The Australian government will introduce pre-departure testing for COVID-19 for people traveling to Australia from Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macau. From 12:01am on January 5, travelers will be required to undertake a PCR test within the 48 hours prior to travel and show evidence of a negative test result when traveling to Australia.
Canada
As of 12:01am, January 5 (EST), all air travelers 2 years of age and older, taking a flight originating from Chinese mainland, Hong Kong or Macau that lands in Canada must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status.
India
The Indian government mandated a COVID-19 negative test report for travelers arriving from Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand. Passengers from those countries and regions will be quarantined if they show symptoms or test positive.
Malaysia
Malaysia will screen all inbound travelers for fever and test wastewater from aircraft arriving from China for COVID-19.
Morocco
From January 3, all travelers from China regardless of nationality will be banned from entering Morocco. The announcement is the strictest measure yet taken by any country in response to China's surge in cases.
Qatar
Qatar will require travelers arriving from China since January 3 to provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48 hours of departure.
Japan
Travelers on direct flights from China to Japan arrive at the Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture on January 12.
Those who leave from China must present a negative coronavirus test within 72 hours of departing for Japan. Throat swab is not recognized, and travelers need to take Nasopharyngeal swab. They will undergo a test upon entry.
South Korea
Through the end of February, all travelers from China will be required to present a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours of departure, or 24 hours for a rapid antigen test. They will also have to take another PCR test within one day of arrival.
All arrivals from China will be required to fill out an electronic "Q-Code" questionnaire before entering South Korea.
Foreign travelers from China coming on short-term visits will be tested immediately upon arrival at the airport and must remain in separate facilities until their test results are known.
South Korean nationals and foreigners with residency status returning to South Korea from visiting China must take a PCR test within one day of arrival and quarantine at their residence until the test results confirm they are negative.
From January 7 it will impose mandatory COVID-19 tests on travelers from China's Hong Kong and Macau.
Thailand
A Thai official gives a garland to Chinese tourists as they arrive at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakarn province, Thailand, on January 9.
Thailand on January 9 rescinded an earlier policy requiring visitors to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination, its health minister said, citing sufficient immunization levels in China and globally.
Anutin Charnvirakul said requiring visitors to show evidence of vaccination is inconvenient, and a panel of experts had resolved that it was unnecessary as enough vaccinations had been administered globally.
Charnvirakul said visitors not vaccinated would also be granted entry without restriction.
The United States
Starting 12:01am EST (5:01am GMT) on January 5, all air passengers 2 years of age and older traveling to the United States from Chinese mainland, Hong Kong or Macau will need to get a COVID-19 viral test no more than two days before their flight and show their negative result, or show proof of having recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days, to the airline before boarding.
This requirement also applies to passengers who have been in Chinese mainland, Hong Kong or Macau in the past 10 days and are traveling to the United States from one of the following airports: Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul, South Korea; Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in Canada; and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in Canada (referred to as designated airports).
The article is compiled by AnyHelper.
Click the pictures to read past stories ↓
Editor: Su Yanxian
Designer: Shi Jingyun, Li XiaoyingPhoto: IC