China has lifted some restrictions on mandatory COVID-19 testing for people coming from countries such as the US and reduced the pre-departure quarantine period for some incoming visitors, as it adjusts its strict measures to deal with the Omicron variant.
The slight relaxation was in response to factors including the "characteristics of variant strains of coronavirus," according to briefings from Chinese embassies and consulates, without providing further details.
Starting Friday, travelers from Dallas, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle will no longer need a PCR test seven days before they fly, or an antibody test, according to announcements issued late yesterday by the Chinese embassy in the U.S. and several consulates.
These travelers will still need to take two PCR tests within 48 or 24 hours of their flight - depending on the airport of departure - plus another antigen test before the flight, according to these announcements.
Travel to and from China has plummeted during the COVID outbreaks while the country sticks to its 'zero COVID' policy that included restrictions on issuing and renewing passports, mandatory quarantine for most travelers upon arrival and flight cancellations.
However, the shorter incubation period of the Omicron variant strain allowed for a slight relaxation of restrictions for international travelers. The capital Beijing announced earlier this month that it had reduced the quarantine period at central facilities on arrival to 10 days from 14 days, although home quarantine remains in place for another week.
Embassies in the United Arab Emirates, Serbia and Bangladesh announced today that they have lifted mandatory antibody tests for travelers to China and that those who had recovered from COVID no longer need to show chest X-rays.
Source: Proto Thema
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