Post-Zero Covid Travel News You Might Have Missed, Jan 9

Posted on January 09th, 2023

Thailand scraps screening arrivals for proof of Covid vaccinations: Today (Jan 9) it was announced that Thailand would be rescinding its policy that required visitors to show proof of Covid-19 vaccinations. On the U-turn, Thailand’s Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul said that requiring visitors to show evidence of vaccinations “would be cumbersome and inconvenient”, reports South China Morning Post. Anutin said that unvaccinated visitors will now be granted entry without restriction. 

Over 100 new overseas routes to open at Beijing Daxing airport: On Sunday, China downgraded its COVID-19 management measures from Class A to Class B and lifted quarantine requirements. These new measure also saw the scrapping of the "Five-One" policy that limited all domestic airlines to one international flight per week to each country, restricted foreign airlines to no more than one flight into China per week, and mandated a 75 percent ceiling for flight passenger capacity. Now that the policy has been lifted, several airlines have announced plans to resume international flights at Beijing Daxing International Airport starting from Jan 17, stated CGTN.

Beijing airports expect surge in flights during Spring Festival: The number of incoming and outgoing flights from Beijing’s two major airports is predicted to rise by 44 percent during the Spring Festival travel rush, compared with the same period last year, according to CGTN. The peak travel period is expected to start Jan 14, and over the 40-day travel period around 62,000 flights are expected to arrive at or depart from Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport.

Countries with Covid testing rules for arrivals from China: As of press time, 14 countries currently have Covid testing requirements or travel restrictions in place for air travelers coming from China.

South Korea – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken within 48 hours, or proof of negative antigen self-test result from test taken within 24 hours prior to departure. All passengers must undergo another PCR test after arriving in the country.

Canada – Proof of negative PCR or antigen self-test result from test taken 48 hours prior to departure.

Australia – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken 48 hours prior to departure.

France – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken 48 hours prior to departure.

Qatar – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken within 48 hours prior to departure for arrivals from Chinese mainland.

USA – Proof of negative PCR test result with two calendar days' validity or proof of recovery from Covid.*

UK – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken within two calendar days before departure for arrivals from Chinese mainland (direct or indirect flights).** 

India – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken within 72 hours of departure for arrivals from Chinese mainland and Hong Kong SAR. 

Italy – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken within 72 hours of departure or negative antigen test result from within 48 hours before departure for arrivals from Chinese mainland.

Israel – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken within 72 hours of departure for non-Israelis.

Spain – Proof of full vaccination (two shots) against Covid, or negative PCR test result from test taken within 72 hours prior to departure, or negative antigen test result from test taken within 24 hours prior to departure.

Malaysia – Mandatory testing on arrival for all arrivals from Chinese mainland and screening for fever and other symptoms.

Japan – Testing all arrivals from Chinese mainland on arrival plus proof of negative PCR test result from test taken within 72 hours of departure, from Jan 8.

Morocco – All arrivals from the Chinese mainland, regardless of nationality, are banned from entering the country.

European Union – Has recommended all member states require negative Covid tests from all arrivals from China, but not mandatory.

Unless mentioned otherwise, all the above countries require negative test results from arrivals coming from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong SAR, and Macao SAR.

*Requirements pertain to those entering the US via Incheon International Airport (Seoul, South Korea), Toronto International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport (both in Canada), who have been to the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong SAR, or Macao SAR within ten days before their flight.

**Excludes Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Original Article: Post-Zero Covid Travel News You Might Have Missed, Jan 9