China drops some COVID rules for travelers but keeps quarantine | Business and Economy News

Customs office stresses ‘no substantial change’ to COVID controls after announcing the end of some requirements.

China still requires international passengers to take pre-departure COVID-19 tests and quarantine upon arrival, the country’s customs office has said, after dropping some reporting requirements for travelers clearing customs.

China, which has shortened the quarantine period and removed some testing and self-isolation requirements for inbound international travelers, still has some of the world’s most stringent COVID-19 policies.

Chinese customs said on Thursday it had removed the requirements for travelers to report COVID tests, previous infections and vaccination dates when they clear customs, to make entry more convenient.

“This is not an easing of COVID control,” the customs office said in a clarifying statement on Friday, referring to the change in the reporting rules.

“There is no substantial change to the COVID requirements for inbound travelers.”

Travelers intending to enter China from other countries still have to report tests and other COVID-related information to Chinese embassies to get digital health credentials to board their flights, according to embassy websites.

The number of international flights in and out of China has remained low compared to the pre-pandemic era, complicating the travel plans of many.