China has been one of the most cautious countries when it comes to international travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, China is now taking a significant step toward reopening its borders. On December 26, 2022, China’s National Health Commission announced that China would ease some of its most stringent travel restrictions starting on January 8, 2023.
Inbound travelers to China will no longer need to apply for a health code from Chinese embassies or consulates, though a negative nucleic acid test from the last 48 hours will still be required. Nucleic acid tests and centralized quarantine for all inbound travelers will be canceled. Measures to control the number of international passenger flights, including the “five-one” policy, will be lifted, allowing for increased air travel between China and other countries. Furthermore, China will optimize arrangements for foreigners returning to China for work resumption, business, study, family visits, and reunions, and provide visa facilities accordingly.
Previously, inbound travelers had to quarantine for five days at a hotel, followed by three days at home. However, with the scrapping of the quarantine requirement, it is a major step toward fully reopening travel with the rest of the world. The newly published policies have been welcomed by many businesses that have struggled under almost three years of strict lockdowns and travel restrictions.
While the easing of curbs on entry into China does not mean the easing of disease control, China’s decision to lift border control restrictions is a significant milestone in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Foreign investors and businesses who are planning to enter China can now observe and look into this market more closely and take steps to progress their business plans on the ground. And foreign nationals who want to travel to China for tourism or family visits can now check for flight tickets. However, travelers are advised to take primary responsibility for their health, use precautionary measures for self-protection, and double-check the latest policies in departure and arrival cities.