So how did you board? Got an instant test at the gate?

Interesting :-)

Not sure I understand.
Why would you not need a neg. test?
It is very much still required from many countries, until the 29th.

Talk about bad timing. My mom just entered China via Hong Kong on Tuesday morning. She did a non-refundable PCR test before her flight from SFO on Saturday (site was closed Sunday), but then realized it would be over 48 hours by the time she reached the border crossing at Shenzhen. So she did another 2-hour PCR test at HKG upon just in case. Neither result were ever checked; Shenzhen border crossing is only randomly selecting people for tests 🙄

The new measures would be since Apr 29

Some news sites report that flyers still need to show a Antigen test taken 48hr before flying post 29th Apr. Can this be at private at home test that you take a photo of the result of a commercially purchased and verified test?
thanks

My understanding only:

That is what's required, yes; a RAT test that you can take yourself with photo proof; HOWEVER, it's inconceivable that any airline would be required to check this, as there's really nothing to check anymore, and the requirement has been lifted for the airlines to be made accountable should a passenger be found to have lied on their health declaration.

In summary: any RAT test is okay, airlines won't check.

The RAT test is still legally required. You have to declare the test result to be negative on the Customs declaration. Providing false information to Customs may lead to fines and/or imprisonment.
Of course the actual result will no longer be checked by the airline. So it's up to you to determine whether you are happy to wear the legal risk of not doing a test at all.

I am failing to see a legal risk. Even if you do the self-test (and test negative), there is always a good chance to catch covid while being on your way to China (or you catched it just prior to the test, so it wouldn't show yet) - how would they make a difference between "tested negative, but later been positive when arriving" and "didn't test, just declared negative and tested positive when arriving"

Basically, Covid is over, and what's currently done is "for show".

That might not be the point.
Not sure about mainland requirements, but in HK you had to self-administer a RAT and keep the picture for 90 days.
Failing to produce the picture was punishable, not catching covid on arrival.

The (admittedly small) legal risk is that if you claim you tested negative during the 48-hour lead-up to your flight but are unable to provide proof of such when asked, you will be in violation of PRC law and could face stiff penalties.

The negative test result should presumably provide you with significant legal cover if you happen to catch Covid after your test (on the way to China or later).

There's absolutely no reason not to do a rapid antigen test before departure. They're at most $5/test and available everywhere. Just take a photo or video of yourself using the test, and a photo of the results.

Agree on both comments.

The reason not to do it is to save $5 and they never check.

I have 40+ tests still, as we were on a daily (morning, pre-going-to-work) test regimen where I work; everyone has leftovers.

As I said, anyone can decide to not do the test and make a false declaration. After all, has anyone ever answered "yes" to the question "Are you a terrorist"?

The (extremely unlikely) scenario I had in mind entails catching Covid, winding up in a hospital, and being outed there.

I've got a bunch left over from the lockdown times. I've also got a bunch of photos of negative antigen test results from the lockdown as well.

I too have a stack in my cupboard, when our employer provided it us for free. Along with a couple boxes of masks still. :p

If you intend to use any of those old photos, I suggest you update the timestamp of the photo, and remove their EXIF data! :)

I'd keep the masks for the next pandemic! :cool:

At the airport on my way back they asked me to spell the letters in my Passport number as they could not read it so I’m curious if someone would be able to check the details of a Covid test 😂🫣

That would really depend upon how much they cared.

Their care factor is zero.

If someone were to lose their cool with them (personal or country focused insults, perhaps), their care factor could easily reach a non-zero state.

Did a proper self test and video from it, it’s really not worth the risk even if it’s just 1:1000 to get caught.

plus I still got like 5 packs of self Test around which won’t be good forever anyway

I'm confused. If I'm going into Shenzhen for a day trip from Hong Kong via Lo Wu, next week, what do I need

Assuming you aren't going to stay in HK long enough to absolve yourself of the requirement, just prepare evidence for ANY test result, and save to your phone (paper is is also okay).

You need a QR code for the Health Declaration and -- unless you've been in HK for more than a week -- evidence of a negative rapid antigen test taken no more than 48 hours beforehand.

They DID wanted to see my prove in Macao when staying there less than a week and continue to the Mainland yesterday.

funnily enough, the QR code from the health form was enough for them…

(I did had a full length video with time stamp from my self administrated RAT just in case)

Overall, Corona really isn’t the issue anymore when getting to China. (visa or TWOV is the trickier part again)

Do you guys think all test requirements will be eliminated by the end of this year?

Probably much earlier would be my guess

It’s already eliminated in real life.

I don't want to take a rapid test just in case.

CVS (maybe only an East Coast thing) and Walgreen's do them for free, BUT RAT tests are now okay.

It would be better if we just get rid of them altogether. I've already got four COVID shots. It should be enough. It's mid-2023 already.

I can't see them hanging on to any test requirements for much longer.
There's barely anyone even wearing masks out.
Just get a RAT, take a photo and take the little plastic result thingy with you and you will be fine.

Japan just got rid of all border measures, this past weekend, when they actually had said they'd do it on May 8:

April 26 (Reuters) - Japan will end COVID-19 border measures on Saturday, earlier than expected, Jiji news agency reported, citing government sources.
Japan had previously said COVID-19 measures would end on May 8, but the date was brought forward to ease congestion at airports at the start of a holiday, the report said.
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...ji-2023-04-26/

Just flew US-NRT-PVG (separate tickets, entered Japan to recollect luggage and check-in again).

Entering Japan
- No need for 3 shots or test anymore. Requirement lifted (as stated above)

NRT check in desk
- Agent said QR code wasn't needed, only when you enter China
- Did not ask for test

NRT gate
- Did not ask for QR code or test

PVG arrival
- Scan QR code on automated machine
- Did not ask for test

TIMATIC says airlines do *not* need to check negative test.

Airlines and even border control, are not the issue.

The USA is finally lifting vaccination requirements for inbound travellers on 11 May

U.S. ending COVID-19 vaccine mandates for travellers, federal workers

:

https://globalnews.ca/news/9665146/c...ccine-mandate/

Yes it is https://www.reddit.com/r/PassportPor...t=1&utm_term=1