Going to China? Here Are Some COVID-19 Updates You Should Know

Planning to travel soon?

If so, bare in-mind that the pandemic is still underway. If you’re travelling for leisure, we recommend delaying plans a bit. Staying home is your best bet to avoid being infected.

That aside, staying home isn’t a must. So if you’d still like to travel, then keep reading.

Basics to Know

The pandemic’s start was in the Hubei province of China. But the situation there was put under control with early lockdown measures.

But to this day, travelers aren’t allowed entry to that part of China. And this might be an issue, especially with the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing (for 2022).

Should You Still Go?

We don’t see why you shouldn’t. After all, China isn’t a non-developed country. The government does have good control measures in-place to limit the pandemic.

In fact, if you haven’t been there before, you’d be surprised with how skyscraper ridden its larger cities are.

Who’s Allowed Entry?

It depends on how serious the pandemic is.

Back in 2020 March, China shut down its borders to almost all travelers. This was when the pandemic first started seeping into Europe.

By March the following year, restrictions eased out. China now allowed up to 23 countries access to its territory (but only select travelers were allowed access).

Those let in were for humanitarian reasons. Those reasons included family reunions, which were allowed visa applications. Also, some business travelers were allowed (such as APEC Business Travel Card holders).

In fact, China had already signed agreements with South Korea and Singapore letting business travelers through its borders.

Though regardless of reason, each category required a vaccination 15 days prior to entry.

Chinese Government’s Goals.

Officials had in-mind a vaccination goal for their citizens. By June this year, Chinese officials aimed to have 40% of all their citizens’ vaccined.

By 19th June, China had officially crossed that milestone, with over a billion vaccine doses being administered.

With vaccines being administered worldwide, China plans on further reducing travel restrictions. Right now, China accepts travelers who have received Sinovac, Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

Do Any Restrictions Exist?

There are some tests that should be presented before travel (within 48 hours of flight time), those being antibody and PCR tests. Both tests should result in negatives.

For new qualified entrants, being admitted depends on receiving a double dose of COVID-19 fourteen days before entering. They’re required to apply for their visas in advance. They should also demonstrate vaccination proof after arrival, in addition to their negative test results.

There’s also a screening test at Chinese airports. Those who fail are immediately sent to a government facility, where they’d be quarantined before arrival.

Certain regions enforce a 14 day quarantine, while others require 21. That quarantine may occur at your home or in a government facility.

Current COVID-19 Numbers in China

By August 4th this year, China COVID death toll reached 4848, with a total ot 105, 242 reported cases.

Of all its provinces, Yunnan was hit the worst. The highest single-day increases were located there since January. Causes for those high values seem to be returning Myanmar locals (with the country bordering the province) as they escape civil unrest.

As a result, provinces bordering Myanmar have been subject to extra control measures (those being Xishangbanna and Yunnan). Also, passing through those borders comes with a few vehicle checkpoints, where special permits are needed for entry to cities such as Puer and Ruili.

Myanmar aside, a large portion of delta cases have been attributed to the Jiangsu province, specifically Nanjing city. That city is home to 9 million people. The cases thus far were linked to workers at Nanjing’s airport and direct contacts of theirs.

Nanjing has been subject to mass testing across its suburbs. Some high-risk areas have been locked down since then. Those areas include recreational locations, cinemas, theaters, spas, mahjong parlors, and more.

As for vital services (like pharmacies and grocery stores), those now limit the number of entries at a time.

On a larger scale, Beijing authorities no longer issue railway tickets for up to affected 23 COVID cities. This has been in effect since 3rd of August.

Also, two major Beijing airports have extended their COVID control measures, preventing those who have travelled to affected locations from entering the capital.