What’s new: The Chinese embassy in the U.S. has updated Covid guidelines for travelers flying to China, allowing them to enter the country without taking a nucleic acid test seven days before boarding from Friday onwards.
This testing was one of the requirements imposed in January because of a surge in omicron cases in the U.S.
The requirement for passengers to document their temperature and health condition for a week before their departure will also be removed, as will the requirement to take an antibody test, according to a statement (link in Chinese) published Tuesday by the embassy.
The guidelines still require travelers from the U.S. to China to take two nucleic acid tests within 48 hours of their flight, one of which must be conducted 24 hours before boarding, according to the statement.
The background: Before the latest change to the rules, travelers were asked to stay in their city of departure for seven days prior to flying for a period of “personal health observation.” During this period, they had to complete two rounds of pre-flight tests at embassy-designated testing agencies on the first of the seven days, and within 48 hours of their flight.
Contact reporter Wang Xintong (xintongwang@caixin.com) and editor Heather Mowbray (heathermowbray@caixin.com)
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