Trevor KucheranLast Updated
China has announced that Beijing will be reopening to international flights from 8 countries ending 5 months of lock-down in the Chinese capital.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China said that it would reopen to the countries based on their low rate of COVID-19.
Update: October 18th: A limited number of international flights are flying into Beijing. Other international passenger flights to Beijing continue to be diverted to 16 designated airports in Chengdu, Changsha, Hefei, Lanzhou, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Taiyuan, Hohhot, Jinan, Qingdao, Nanjing, Shenyang, Dalian, Zhengzhou, Xi’an and Wuhan. A small number of international flights are also operating direct between European cities and Shanghai, Guangzhou and Qingdao.
Countries Permitted To Enter China By Air
The following countries will be permitted to fly into Beijing, China.
- Canada
- Thailand
- Cambodia
- Pakistan
- Greece
- Denmark
- Austria
- Sweden
The only passengers permitted to board the flights will be citizens of the country of the flight’s origin or Chinese citizens.
Foreign nationals holding valid Chinese Residence Permits of the following three categories can enter China without an additional visa application:
- work
- personal matters
- reunion
Quarantine Upon Arrival In China
All passengers arriving in Beijing will face a mandatory 14 day quarantine at a state-run facility on the outskirts of Beijing, according to the Chinese government.
COVID-19 Testing Protocols For Entering China
All arriving passengers must present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 3 days before you travel. This rule has been tightened from the previous 5 days.
At the end of the 14 day quarantine, travelers will be tested for COVID-19 again and then be permitted to leave the facility if the result is negative.
Travelers will then have to report their temperature to authorities for an additional 7 days.
Passenger Limits Arriving in China
The Chinese government stated that service will be capped at 500 passengers per flight and a maximum of 1000 inbound international travelers per day.
According to SCMP, The Civil Aviation Administration of China has said that if any inbound flight has more than 5 cases, the service will be suspended for a week. If any flight confirms more than 10 cases, service will be suspended for 4 weeks.
The first flight is scheduled to arrive today from Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
It will be the first international flight arriving in Beijing since the capital locked down back in late March.
Visa Required For Most Countries To Visit China
Most countries require a valid visa before traveling to Beijing, China.
Passengers must apply for a visa if required at the Chinese consulate/embassy before traveling to China.
Only select visas are being issued at this time and China is NOT open for general tourism.
↓ Join The Discussion ↓
Ask questions, meet other travelers, and get breaking reopening travel news in the Travel Off Path Community FB Page
Disclaimer: China entry requirements can change without notice and are being updated constantly. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse travelling against government advisories.
8