How to leave China (as of Nov 2022)
Dec 16, 2022, 9:15 pm
#16
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-There are lots of flights between TPE and America/Australia/Europe
-The only longhaul flight I know of ex-XMN is LAX twice per week
Regardless, finding flights out of China isn't especially difficult. The schedules might be vastly reduced, but so is demand (as defined by the desire and ability to leave).
Dec 17, 2022, 2:11 am
#17
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Current situation for leaving
Leaving today.
No one checks any health codes.
Took HSR Beijing-Hongqiao and Taxi to PVG.
No checks for health code anywhere.
A small "health declaration" is still required before going through customs, although no idea why.
All the questions would have to be answered with YES nowadays:
"Have you been in close contact with a Covid positive person?"
Do 13 million fellow Beijingers count??? 😎
As a bonus, got upgraded. UA858 still stops in ICN, but that surely is about to stop also very soon.
Leaving today.
No one checks any health codes.
Took HSR Beijing-Hongqiao and Taxi to PVG.
No checks for health code anywhere.
A small "health declaration" is still required before going through customs, although no idea why.
All the questions would have to be answered with YES nowadays:
"Have you been in close contact with a Covid positive person?"
Do 13 million fellow Beijingers count??? 😎
As a bonus, got upgraded. UA858 still stops in ICN, but that surely is about to stop also very soon.
Dec 17, 2022, 6:17 am
#18
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-the customs declaration has always been required on departure based on my memory, and has included Covid questions since Covid become a thing-I wouldn't bet on any of the airlines that stop in ICN changing that anytime soon because there are lots of moving parts
Dec 17, 2022, 7:57 pm
#19
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Reading the questions it seemed to have been setup primarily for contact tracing. The same declaration is used for entry and exit.
The questions are superfluous now, and I do suspect they will stop that very soon.
There's barely anyone in China that could truthfully answer NO to all the questions now.
Added; here's (part of) the text of the health declaration. Implemented Jan 24, 2020. My guess is, it won't see its 3rd birthday.
Last edited by narvik; Dec 17, 2022 at 8:14 pm
Dec 17, 2022, 10:45 pm
#20
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I've managed to almost completely sleep through 5 of my 6 ICN stops, this last one on AC being the exception (some of my fellow passengers thought it was a good opportunity to socialize).
Last edited by moondog; Dec 18, 2022 at 7:59 am
Dec 17, 2022, 11:54 pm
#22
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2. There are flights from many mainland cities to HKG
3. IMO leaving via HKG isn't any more notable than leaving via ICN, TYO, BKK, TPE, etc. or grabbing a long-haul flight
Dec 18, 2022, 1:22 am
#23
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The part of my post that you quoted was in relation to when the 4(?) airlines that have been doing the ICN drill will stop. Basically, it was their unions that demanded this accommodation, so unravelling it will require their approval, and I doubt they'll go for any semblance of a "closed-loop" scenario in Shanghai. With the possible exception of chopping slot modifications, the Chinese authorities are not relevant.
I've managed to almost completely sleep through 5 of my 6 ICN stops, this last one on AC being the exception (some of my fellow passengers thought it was a good opportunity to socialize).
I've managed to almost completely sleep through 5 of my 6 ICN stops, this last one on AC being the exception (some of my fellow passengers thought it was a good opportunity to socialize).
The ICN thing will cease soon after there's no entry quarantine. I suspect that's going to happen very soon.
Last edited by narvik; Dec 18, 2022 at 1:45 am
Dec 18, 2022, 8:05 am
#24
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If by "soon after", you mean 6 months, I tacitly endorse your prediction, but I don't think we'll see a shorter timeline.
Dec 18, 2022, 1:35 pm
#26
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If we go by Hong Kong it will be a few months. I think they'll want to let it burn through before opening up to foreigners. 3 months seems about right but who knows anymore with the slapdash decision making style currently coming from behind the gates of zhongnanhai. I wouldn't be surprised if it was next week or one year from now.
Dec 18, 2022, 2:29 pm
#27
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If we go by Hong Kong it will be a few months. I think they'll want to let it burn through before opening up to foreigners. 3 months seems about right but who knows anymore with the slapdash decision making style currently coming from behind the gates of zhongnanhai. I wouldn't be surprised if it was next week or one year from now.
Dec 18, 2022, 5:38 pm
#28
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Dec 18, 2022, 8:18 pm
#29
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I haven't read any of the relevant union-airline agreements (they might not be in the public domain for all I know) and they are presumably different from each other, but I'm guessing that China service is now contingent upon the ICN stop. If so, lifting the stop might entail protracted negotiations. In any event, I'm cool with your new 3-month (after arrival quarantine is no longer required) prediction...for the first shoe (i.e. one airline) dropping.
Dec 19, 2022, 3:59 am
#30
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How is infection rate/situation since lifting the restriction? Almost half of my office back in Beijing have tested positive (and most of their families) in the past week.
I anticipate the infection rate may impact airlines resume services to China. For examples, airlines unions may raise health cockers for their members.
I anticipate the infection rate may impact airlines resume services to China. For examples, airlines unions may raise health cockers for their members.