Post-Zero Covid Travel News You Might Have Missed, Jan 11

Katie Coy, Managing Editor | Jan 11, 2023 2:30 pm | Add a comment | 363 reads

Air China to resume Sydney, Melbourne flights to Beijing: Air China has announced that it will launch three flights per week for both Sydney-Beijing and Melbourne-Beijing routes, with tickets already on sale. Starting Feb 1, Melbourne-Beijing will run every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, and from Feb 3 Sydney-Beijing flights will run every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. These will then gear up to daily flights on both routes from Mar 26, according to Executive Traveller.

China suspends short-term visas for Koreans over restrictions: Yesterday, China announced its first retaliation against restrictions imposed upon Chinese travelers. The issuing of short-term visas, such as for business or tourism, for South Koreans wanting to visit China has been suspended. This was in response to South Korea earlier suspending issuing short-term visas to Chinese travelers until Jan 31, reports the Global Times.

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 from test taken within 48 hours, or proof of negative antigen self-test result from test taken within 24 hours prior to departure. All passengers must undergo another PCR test after arriving in the country. Issuance of short-term visas for travelers from China has been suspended until Jan 31.
(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 from test 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 from test taken 48 hours prior to departure.
(Source: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/covid19/)

France – Proof of negative PCR test result from test 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 from test 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 from test taken within two calendar days before departure for arrivals from Chinese mainland (direct or indirect flights).** (Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19#travel-from-mainland-china)

India – Proof of negative PCR test result from test 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 from test 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 from test 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 from test taken within 72 hours prior to departure, or negative antigen test result from test taken within 24 hours prior to departure.
(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 from test 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 the 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 with 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.