Here Are the Places Imposing New Covid Rules for China Travelers

(Bloomberg) -- China may be reopening, allowing its 1.4 billion people to come and go largely without restrictions, but just as it is, a slew of other countries are tightening measures for travelers from the world’s second-biggest economy, concerned the tsunami of virus cases there may spawn new Covid variants.

In a complete and surprising reversal of its Covid Zero policy, China did away with almost all pandemic restrictions virtually overnight. That’s seen the virus run wild and unchecked through its population, with almost 37 million people possibly having been infected on a single day last week.

From Jan. 8, China will also scrap its quarantine requirement for inbound travelers, a step that’s seen as making it more likely for people to travel abroad after almost three years of total isolation.

Considering China had a massive outbound tourism market before the pandemic, other countries are now becoming wary of the risks of a resurgence in infections in their own populations.

Here’s a list of what new measures nations are imposing.

The United States

The US will require airline passengers coming from China to show a negative Covid-19 test result, regardless of their nationality or vaccination status, from Jan. 5.

Travelers who were also in the country 10 days prior to their departure to the US will have to show either a negative PCR or antigen test, federal health officials said Wednesday. The requirement also applies to travelers from Hong Kong and Macau.

Passengers who tested positive more than 10 days before traveling can provide documentation and proof of recovery from Covid in lieu of a negative test result. Airlines will need to confirm the negative Covid test or documentation of recovery prior to boarding any flight to the US.

Read more: US to Require Negative Covid Tests for Travelers From China

Italy

Italy has introduced a mandatory rapid Covid-19 test for all passengers entering the country from China, according to a health ministry statement. The new measure also applies to passengers in transit.

The first European nation to be hit hard by Covid in early 2020, Italy is also urging other countries in the region to adopt a collective testing agreement, given they’re part of the open-border Schengen Area.

The move came after authorities in Milan earlier said that almost half of the passengers on two flights from China tested positive for the virus. Most weren’t showing any symptoms.

Read more: Italy to Test China Arrivals for Covid, Wants EU to Do Same

Taiwan

People who travel from mainland China to Taiwan during January will be subject to PCR testing upon arrival, according to the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control. Those who test positive will need to serve a five-day home quarantine.

Read more: Taiwan Requires PCR Testing for Arrivals From China From Jan. 1

Japan

The Japanese government put in place emergency Covid measures from Dec. 30 to tighten restrictions on travel from China. Authorities now require travelers from mainland China and those who were there within seven days to conduct a Covid test upon arrival, and to quarantine for a week if they test positive.

Direct flights from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau will be accepted only at certain airports and airlines have been asked not to increase the current number of flights.

Read more: Japan to Temporarily Tighten Travel From China, Kishida Says

Malaysia

Malaysia is working to improve its digital management system to track individuals who have a positive Covid test result. Positive cases will be given a home surveillance order and a release order digitally.

India

India said late Thursday that it will now make a PCR test mandatory for people coming in from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand as of Jan. 1.

(Updates to add India imposing restrictions.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

©2022 Bloomberg L.P.