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China Opens its Doors to Foreigners After Years of COVID Restrictions
China has lifted its strict COVID-19 travel restrictions for the first time since the pandemic began. As of January 8, foreign citizens can now travel to China without restrictions for the first time in 3 years.
Passengers arriving in China no longer need to undergo COVID-19 tests on arrival or quarantine at government facilities. However, tourism travel is still prohibited, while business trips and visits to family are permitted. It is expected that China may review its visa policy regarding tourists soon. The first foreign flights to arrive under the new rules landed in Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
China Lifts COVID-19 Travel Restrictions for its Citizens
The removal of the mandatory quarantine for arriving passengers also means that Chinese nationals are able to travel abroad without having to isolate at a government facility upon returning to the country.
Lifting of Restrictions Coincides with Chunyun Lunar New Year Holiday
The lifting of the restrictions coincides with Chunyun, the upcoming Lunar New Year public holiday, which begins on January 21 and lasts for 40 days. This will be the first Lunar New Year travel period without restrictions since 2020.
Significant Easing of Hong Kong Travel Restrictions
Additionally, Hong Kong travel restrictions from the Chinese mainland were also significantly eased on January 8. It’s now possible for up to 50,000 residents of Hong Kong per day to cross into China through 3 land checkpoints, if they first register online.
High Registration Numbers and Increased Travel Expectations
According to public broadcaster Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), a total of 410,000 residents had already registered to make the land journey by the Saturday before the new rules came into effect. Another 10,000 residents of SAR Hong Kong are permitted to enter China daily by air, bridge, or sea without the need to pre-register. As a result, the Chinese Ministry of Transport is estimating an increase of nearly 100% in trips to and from China over the next 40 days – or roughly 2 billion journeys in total.