China eases ‘zero-COVID’ policy, scraps PCR test requirement for inbound travelers

China has taken out the requirement for international travelers to provide a negative PCR test result.

Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stated that travelers can instead present a negative antigen test result taken within 48 hours prior to boarding as of Saturday.

Over the last three years, China imposed/implemented an array of anti-virus controls to try to eliminate the virus from the community, including lockdowns and regular mass testing.

But the rules hurt the economy and sparked protests, so the government suddenly relaxed its stringent regulations in December and took a big step to end the quarantine rule at the beginning of January. china news

As part of its efforts to revive tourism, the nation resumed the issuance of all visa types last month. Nevertheless, it has maintained PCR testing requirements for passengers arriving from certain nations, a costly requirement that significantly discouraged visitors from returning.

China is taking new steps to refine pre-departure testing requirements guided by the principle of ensuring safe and orderly travel and keeping the measures science-based and well-targeted to further facilitate cross-border travel,” Mao stated.

She brought airlines will no longer test check effects before departure.