Coronavirus: pandemic is likely here to stay, says EU health agency chief

If Covid-19 ends up becoming endemic in the rest of the world like the flu, will China maintain its pandemic border controls permanently?

A note for consideration: currently if you are residents of Macao, Hong Kong, or Taiwan, and have legal documentations to enter China (Tai-Bao-Zhen or Hui-Xiang-Zhen), and is traveling from USA to China directly, you may still be denied by the Chinese Embassy. Happened to my friends of each respective places.

Further tightening: China consulate in San Francisco announces that travelers to China should get permission from consulate first, then purchase flights and get PCR / blood test.

Looks like the government just wants no Americans in. Are people still planning on trying? Moondog?

Hopefully this will relax sooner than later.

I was planning on getting out of here on May 15 (to visit FL), but the (current) lack of ability to come back is an issue.

"There has been no official announcement from the foreign ministry, but embassies in at least seven countries have told travellers they must spend 14 days in quarantine before travelling to China.

The embassies in Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Algeria have said all travellers must undergo the process, while the missions in Kazakhstan, Sudan, Egypt and Pakistan said the restrictions would apply to Chinese citizens."

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/scie...ays-quarantine

This may be a retaliation that US puts on Chinese citizens. I know a couple in Shanghai that wants to fly to the US for their daughter's wedding. They had to be quarantined in a third country first (no direct flight to USA) and it's a QUARANTINED (they thought they can just tourist for 14 days in an approved country, but then they've realized they had to stay in the hotel for 14 days to be eligible to board the US-bound flight). Needless to say, they were not happy.

The optimist in me would say by May (and into the summer), the situation should lighten up. Especially if you can travel on business reasons. But then again, that's the optimist in me talking....

I myself are more nervous on a business trip I needed to take in October 2021, it's into the winter and if there's a "third wave" I may be stuck long term....

You are giving too much credit to the Chinese government. I assume they will be on a tourist visa to visit U.S. and I don't think the Chinese government is even allowing any U.S. tourist to enter China at all, not directly and not through any 3rd countries. The Chinese givernment is just scared (and they have all the reason to be), check the restrctions they have put on their own citizens returning from U.S.

Apart from the fact that none of mentioned countries are remotely related to the US, my view is China simply doesn't want people (of any race/nationality) coming or going.

If you follow the regular 5 / 14 day flight / route suspensions due to arriving passengers on certain airlines into China (including Chinese Airlines), a lot of the route bans have been placed on flights originating from the listed countries. Feel that will be more the reason than 'political' reasons..

I booked my flight last week (just before the Feb 18 announcement made by PRC consulate at San Francisco) to return to US this Saturday for 4 weeks and return at end of March. Now It looks like it may not happen, because of the new approval process. I have written to the Consulate to seek approval. If I don't hear back by Thursday morning (need to get tested before getting onto the UA flight), I will just cancel the trip.

I've got my flight to the US on June 15, so have a little more time. But also in wait-and-see mode.

I have heard back from SFO PRC consulate and I have been told to postpone my return trip at end of March. They are unable to issue me the green health code due to Covid-19 consideration.
Based on the uncertainty of returning to China, I have postponed my trip back to the US later this week.

Alternatives for travel USA to China
 

Given the current entry situation, especially from the United States, I'm trying to think of alternatives on re-entering China after a trip to the US. The ideal criteria would be:

- No quarantine required for arrivals from the US
- Relatively lax criteria for entry into China
- Direct flight to Shanghai

Obviously the situation is fluid, but can anyone think of a destination that fit the above criteria?