Post-Zero Covid Travel News You Might Have Missed, Jan 16

Vincent R. Vinci, Contributing Editor | Jan 16, 2023 11:33 am | Add a comment | 417 reads

Daxing International Airport to Restart International Flights From Tomorrow: Beijing’s Daxing International Airport is set to restart operation of international passenger flights from Jan 17 (tomorrow), reports CGTN.

China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Beijing Capital Airlines, and Himalaya Airlines are among the first carriers who will resume international flights to and from Daxing, to destinations in Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand planned.

International transfers will also be resumed, with a 144-hour visa-free policy set to go into effect for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. International flights were suspended at Daxing since March 2020 due to the pandemic, with all international flights diverted to Capital International Airport.

Hainan Airlines to Relaunch Direct Tel Aviv-Beijing Flights: After a long hiatus due to the pandemic, Hainan Airlines has announced it will resume flights between the capitals of China and Israel from Feb 15, according to Ynet News. Flights to and from Tel Aviv and Beijing will operate every Sunday and Wednesday from February.

Countries With Covid Testing Rules for Arrivals from China: As of press time, 19 countries currently have Covid testing requirements or travel restrictions in place for air travelers coming from China.

South Korea – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken within 48 hours, or proof of negative antigen self-test result from test taken within 24 hours prior to departure. All passengers must undergo another PCR test after arriving in the country. Issuance of short-term visas for travelers from China has been suspended until Jan 31.
(Source: https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/cn-zh/brd/m_21043/view.do?seq=87#)

Canada – Proof of negative PCR or antigen self-test result from test taken 48 hours prior to departure.
(Source: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-19-pre-boarding-test-requirements-china-hong-kong-macao)

Australia – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken 48 hours prior to departure.
(Source: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/covid19/)

France – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken 48 hours prior to departure.
(Source: https://solidarites-sante.gouv.fr/actualites/actualites-du-ministere/article/mise-en-place-de-mesures-sanitaires-pour-les-passagers-en-provenance-de-chine)

Qatar – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken within 48 hours prior to departure for arrivals from Chinese mainland.
(Source: https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/travel-and-return-policy/Pages/default.aspx)

USA – Proof of negative PCR test result with two calendar days' validity or proof of recovery from Covid.*
(Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html)

UK – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken within two calendar days before departure for arrivals from Chinese mainland (direct or indirect flights).** (Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19#travel-from-mainland-china)

India – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken within 72 hours of departure for arrivals from Chinese mainland and Hong Kong SAR. (Source: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/)

Italy – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken within 72 hours of departure or negative antigen test result from within 48 hours before departure for arrivals from Chinese mainland.
(Source: https://www.esteri.it/en/ministero/normativaonline/focus-cittadini-italiani-in-rientro-dall-estero-e-cittadini-stranieri-in-italia/)

Israel – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken within 72 hours of departure for non-Israelis.
(Source: https://corona.health.gov.il/en/abroad/arriving-by-air/)

Spain – Proof of full vaccination (two shots) against Covid, or negative PCR test result from test taken within 72 hours prior to departure, or negative antigen test result from test taken within 24 hours prior to departure.
(https://www.sanidad.gob.es/en/profesionales/saludPublica/ccayes/alertasActual/nCov/spth.htm

Malaysia – Mandatory testing on arrival for all arrivals from Chinese mainland and screening for fever and other symptoms.
(Source: https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/malaysia-responds-to-chinas-lifted-covid-restrictions-with-plans-to-tighten-borders)

Japan – Testing all arrivals from Chinese mainland on arrival plus proof of negative PCR test result from test taken within 72 hours of departure, from Jan 8.
(Source: https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html)

Morocco – All arrivals from the Chinese mainland, regardless of nationality, are banned from entering the country.
(Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230102_08/)

Netherlands – Proof of negative PCR or antigen test result within 48 hours of departure for airline passengers aged 11 and up.
(Source: https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/visiting-the-netherlands-from-abroad)

Sweden – Proof of negative PCR test result within 48 hours of entry into the country.
(Source: https://www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se/the-public-health-agency-of-sweden/communicable-disease-control/covid-19/recommendations-for-those-travelling/)

Cyprus – Proof of negative PCR or other NAT result within 48 hours of departure.
(Source: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-01-11/cyprus-requires-negative-covid-tests-for-china-arrivals)

Germany – Proof of negative PCR, antigen or other NAT result taken within 48 hours of departure.
(Source: https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/service/gesetze-und-verordnungen/guv-19-lp/coronaeinreisev.html)

Austria – Proof of negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours of departure.
(Source: https://www.austria.info/en/service-and-facts/coronavirus-information/entry-regulations)

Unless mentioned otherwise, all the above countries require negative test results from arrivals coming from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong SAR, and Macao SAR.

*Requirements pertain to those entering the US via Incheon International Airport (Seoul, South Korea), Toronto International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport (both in Canada), who have been to the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong SAR, or Macao SAR within ten days before their flight.

**Excludes Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

If you want to keep up-to-date with travel outside and around China or with things to do in Beijing, you can join our new Safe & Sane international and domestic travel WeChat groups or our Beijing Explorers group. To join, add TBJButler on WeChat (QR code below) and tell them which group you want to join.