Lifting Zero Covid Policy
#46
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,918
Direct flights
2 PCR tests, one 48-24hrs, one 24-6hrs before, from different labs, submit results to Chinese Embassy to obtain health code.
Indirect flights - book with a 3 day transit.
1 PCR test from origin, 48hrs before departure, submit results to Chinese Embassy of origin country to obtain health code. Fly to transit country.2 PCR tests, one 48-24hrs, one 24-6hrs before, from different labs, submit results to Chinese Embassy of transit country to obtain health code.
There might be random other requirements added to what the Chinese government wants by the airline you have booked with (eg. To use a specific testing lab with especially high prices).
Note that the UK had no direct flights to China from Dec 20 to Sep 22 because it was perceived to be the origin of the alpha variant.
I am not advocating any of the above, but just reflecting on what China themselves wanted in addition to their 10+3 and later 7+3, 5+3 quarantine to eliminate perceived COVID risks. It's possible to do this, although it's very impractical.
#47
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 5,189
Countries could implement what China imposed upon their own arrivals for most of 2022. As this was mainly Chinese nationals and the few who could get visas to get into China, they might be used to it. Although I'm not recommending it.
Direct flights
2 PCR tests, one 48-24hrs, one 24-6hrs before, from different labs, submit results to Chinese Embassy to obtain health code.
Indirect flights - book with a 3 day transit.
1 PCR test from origin, 48hrs before departure, submit results to Chinese Embassy of origin country to obtain health code. Fly to transit country.2 PCR tests, one 48-24hrs, one 24-6hrs before, from different labs, submit results to Chinese Embassy of transit country to obtain health code.
There might be random other requirements added to what the Chinese government wants by the airline you have booked with (eg. To use a specific testing lab with especially high prices).
Note that the UK had no direct flights to China from Dec 20 to Sep 22 because it was perceived to be the origin of the alpha variant.
I am not advocating any of the above, but just reflecting on what China themselves wanted in addition to their 10+3 and later 7+3, 5+3 quarantine to eliminate perceived COVID risks. It's possible to do this, although it's very impractical.
Direct flights
2 PCR tests, one 48-24hrs, one 24-6hrs before, from different labs, submit results to Chinese Embassy to obtain health code.
Indirect flights - book with a 3 day transit.
1 PCR test from origin, 48hrs before departure, submit results to Chinese Embassy of origin country to obtain health code. Fly to transit country.2 PCR tests, one 48-24hrs, one 24-6hrs before, from different labs, submit results to Chinese Embassy of transit country to obtain health code.
There might be random other requirements added to what the Chinese government wants by the airline you have booked with (eg. To use a specific testing lab with especially high prices).
Note that the UK had no direct flights to China from Dec 20 to Sep 22 because it was perceived to be the origin of the alpha variant.
I am not advocating any of the above, but just reflecting on what China themselves wanted in addition to their 10+3 and later 7+3, 5+3 quarantine to eliminate perceived COVID risks. It's possible to do this, although it's very impractical.
#48
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC 75k, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,154
The issue is that already QR and TK and many other airlines are going to start their operations into China next month. Direct flights yes they I mean the receiving countries can easily implement it but via third countries, it is going to mess up a lot of things still. Then the Chinese will implement reciprocal testing from the US and Japan and people who want to travel to China from these two countries will create a fuss in the media and demand that China open up for them without testing.
China has not acted reciprocally for a long time. US never suspended 10 year visas from China while China suspended 10 year visas issued to Americans. Plus, China will still require COVID test for incoming travelers after Jan 8 so China doesn't get to scream foul.
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,232
Why should they? No one opened up instantly. Everyone did according to their own national interests. I have no issues about China opening up but when they did everyone is in an uproar. It was horrible to be locked down. Now it is not so the case most western countries are in an uproar because they might spread a new variant of the covid. Possibly true and it is possibly true for any other country too.
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
Not really, airlines already check for US entrance requirements (which includes COVID vaccination for visitors) even if they are connecting, this would just be an additional document.
China has not acted reciprocally for a long time. US never suspended 10 year visas from China while China suspended 10 year visas issued to Americans. Plus, China will still require COVID test for incoming travelers after Jan 8 so China doesn't get to scream foul.
China has not acted reciprocally for a long time. US never suspended 10 year visas from China while China suspended 10 year visas issued to Americans. Plus, China will still require COVID test for incoming travelers after Jan 8 so China doesn't get to scream foul.
As of today, China still requires 5+3 forced quarantine. Never mind 14+7 or 28+28 cruel quarantines in the past 3 years.
Even after Jan. 8, China still demands 48 hr COVID tests. So China isn't behaving better than others.
Also, China suspended 10=year visas of Americans.....
#52
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: Marriott Platinum (Lifetime Gold), Caesars Diamond
Posts: 1,404
#53
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,056
We have several forum members who are experienced in higher education in China that might be able to comment, but I'm hard-pressed to think of many people from Western countries that have been full-time students in Chinese universities. I did study abroad myself through Duke University (twice actually; the second time, I was the assistant director). That was a wonderful experience that I would recommend to anyone, but our relationship with host institutions was nothing more than cash cows. By contrast, many people from Asian countries (e.g. Japan, Korea, India) actually pursue degree programs in China. As such, they received considerably better treatment than us, and were far more integral members of campus communities.
#54
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 5,189
We have several forum members who are experienced in higher education in China that might be able to comment, but I'm hard-pressed to think of many people from Western countries that have been full-time students in Chinese universities. I did study abroad myself through Duke University (twice actually; the second time, I was the assistant director). That was a wonderful experience that I would recommend to anyone, but our relationship with host institutions was nothing more than cash cows. By contrast, many people from Asian countries (e.g. Japan, Korea, India) actually pursue degree programs in China. As such, they received considerably better treatment than us, and were far more integral members of campus communities.
#55
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,727
This is like a Spike Milligan story. When China was having draconian lockdowns everyone else was shouting how horrible it is for the Chinese and they should not be locked down. Now the Chinese have opened up everyone else is shouting about wanting to lock down the Chinese. It is unbelievable.
#56
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: EVA Air , * G, QR Privilege Club S
Posts: 5,189
That should not be an issue about outer countries. You shut down when there is an outbreak. You open up when it is controlled. Lots of other countries did the same too.
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Boston, Jo'burg, HK
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Lifetime Diamond, CX Gold, Mrs. Pickles travels for free
Posts: 13,163