发布日期：2022-12-27 09:58
China decided to remove some of its most stringent travel restriction measures, a long-awaited move by business groups. Starting from January 8, 2023, China will no longer conduct nucleic acid tests and centralized quarantine for all inbound travelers, and measures to control the number of international passenger flights will be lifted, among others.
China National Health Commission (NHC) released the Overall Plan for Implementing Class B Infectious Disease Management for COVID-19 Infections (the Overall Plan), it further clarifies that starting January 8, 2023, China will:
- No longer impose quarantine measures on COVID-19 infections;
- No longer identify close contacts of COVID-19 infections;
- No longer delineate high and low-risk areas;
- Provide classified treatment for COVID-19 patients and adjust medical insurance policies;
- Adjust to PCR test to voluntary testing;
- Adjust the frequency and content of epidemic information release; and
- Take NO quarantinable infectious disease control measures against entry persons and goods.
Interpretation of the changes:
The measures introduced above mean that some of China most stringent travel restrictions will finally be removed—the onerous nucleic acid test requirements and the lengthy centralized quarantine policy have long been complained about by inbound travelers. However, given that no specific visa policy is introduced for inbound travelers and no clear timeline is provided for the resumption of outbound tourism in the Overall Plan, the comparatively free flow of people between China and the rest of the world is yet to be seen.
Source: China National Health Commission, China briefing