China Lifts COVID Quarantine for International Arrivals

Beginning January 8, China will eliminate the COVID-19 quarantine requirement for incoming passengers, as announced by the National Health Commission on Monday, marking another step in easing the country’s previously stringent virus-control measures.

At present, travelers must undergo a five-day hotel quarantine followed by three days at home, a reduction from the previous maximum of three weeks.

The removal of the quarantine mandate signifies a significant move towards fully reopening international travel, which had been severely restricted by the government to prevent the virus from entering the country. These limitations have hindered most Chinese from traveling abroad, restricted in-person diplomatic interactions, and drastically decreased the influx of foreigners coming to China for work and education.

China's health authority stated that measures will be implemented to facilitate entry for certain foreigners, although tourists were not included. It was also mentioned that Chinese citizens would gradually be permitted to travel abroad for leisure, a vital source of income for hotels and related industries in various countries.

Travelers arriving in China will still be required to present a negative virus test taken within 48 hours of departure, and passengers must wear protective masks during their flights, according to a post from the health commission.

Earlier this month, China rapidly lifted numerous pandemic restrictions, leading to widespread outbreaks that overwhelmed hospital emergency departments and funeral services. This decision came after rare public protests against the measures, which had hindered economic activity, resulting in job losses and driving many restaurants and shops to close.

For over two and a half years, Chinese authorities implemented a stringent zero-COVID policy, a hallmark of leader Xi Jinping's governance. However, the emergence of the rapidly spreading Omicron variant in late 2021 rendered this strategy increasingly impractical, necessitating extensive lockdowns that hampered economic growth and disrupted daily life.