This was first rumored a few days ago, and has now been officially confirmed. This will have implications on travel globally…
In this post:
China ending COVID travel restrictions on January 8, 2023
Since the start of the pandemic, China has put the strictest measures in place to control case numbers, and for nearly three years has pursued a zero-COVID strategy. As China now deals with an uncontrollable outbreak and a population fed up with endless restrictions, things are finally changing.
China is no longer taking a zero tolerance approach toward the pandemic, and China’s National Health Commission has today announced that travel restrictions will be significantly eased. This comes as the country is downgrading coronavirus from a Category A to Category B public health emergency.
You can’t help but scratch your head at the concept of locking down your country for nearly three years over a virus, and then once it starts spreading uncontrollably, you conveniently claim that it’s no longer a big deal or a major risk.
Here’s what’s changing of January 8, 2023, for travel to China:
- A negative coronavirus PCR test will be required within 48 hours of departure
- There will be no quarantine in a facility required anymore
- There will be no testing requirement on arrival
So while we’re seeing the end of quarantine in a facility and testing on arrival, it’s not entirely clear yet if there will be any requirement of health monitoring on arrival. I’ll be sure to update this post when I see a definitive answer.
With China’s policy up until now, travelers have to spend at least five days in a quarantine hotel or isolation facility, before then having to isolate at home. This already represents restrictions being significantly eased, compared to when China required a three week quarantine in a facility.
Note that while China is lifting travel restrictions, as far as I know the country still isn’t issuing tourist visas for nationals from most countries, and even existing visas have been suspended. It hasn’t yet been announced that this will change, so for the time being there are limited opportunities for foreigners to travel to China.
This has big implications for travel
China is a vast country, with incredibly rich history and endless things to see. However, personally I have zero interest in traveling to China anytime soon:
- I don’t trust the government, and that we might not see further arbitrary restrictions
- I’m not going to travel to places that have any travel restrictions related to the pandemic in place, since nearly all countries have otherwise eliminated testing requirements
- With the low immunity to the virus in China (between lack of infections and a vaccine that isn’t terribly effective), and the country now “letting it rip,” I’d stay away just to avoid catching coronavirus; I haven’t gotten it until now, and I’d like to keep it that way
Nonetheless there’s no denying that many people do want to travel to China (either to see family and friends, for tourism, or for business), so China opening up will be great news in that sense.
Arguably even bigger news is that those from China will be much more likely to travel internationally again with restrictions eased. With a population of 1.4 billion, China has a massive outbound international travel market. For much of the past three years, you simply haven’t seen many tourists from China traveling internationally. I imagine that will be changing soon, with travel once again becoming practical.
During the pandemic we’ve seen a huge surge in leisure demand, which has led to extremely high hotel prices in many popular markets. Many of us have assumed that this trend would eventually slow down, with the economy softening. However, when you consider that residents of the world’s most populous country will finally be able to travel internationally again, I imagine this will also impact demand at many destinations, and therefore prices.
Bottom line
China will be significantly easing travel restrictions as of January 8, 2023. The country will no longer require testing on arrival or a quarantine, but instead will just require pre-travel testing. This all comes as China is transitioning from a zero tolerance approach toward the pandemic, to a “let it rip” approach.
I imagine this will have a significant impact on global travel, regardless of whether or not you have any plans to travel to China.
What are you expecting will happen as China significantly eases travel restrictions?
Multiple sources confirm that close to a quarter of the population of China is infected with the addition of 1-2 million from individual provinces, daily. In addition, all hospitals are strained and ICUs at capacity.
New variants may be milder for the healthy portion of the population, but very damaging to those with existing conditions and the elderly. Thankfully, most of us have been vaccinated so that cases, although still present, are much milder. That...
Multiple sources confirm that close to a quarter of the population of China is infected with the addition of 1-2 million from individual provinces, daily. In addition, all hospitals are strained and ICUs at capacity.
New variants may be milder for the healthy portion of the population, but very damaging to those with existing conditions and the elderly. Thankfully, most of us have been vaccinated so that cases, although still present, are much milder. That is certainly the case with those inoculated with the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine, and its commercial variants known as covishield in much of the world.
Once the new schedules are loaded that includes non stop flights between US and China the fares will go down slightly. AA will have to swap out the 772 on the current DFW ICN PVG route in order to have a 787 for DFW -PVG or PKX non stop. That would be an increase in business class capacity on a European route.
If the US3 want to capitalize on the Chinese New Year they...
Once the new schedules are loaded that includes non stop flights between US and China the fares will go down slightly. AA will have to swap out the 772 on the current DFW ICN PVG route in order to have a 787 for DFW -PVG or PKX non stop. That would be an increase in business class capacity on a European route.
If the US3 want to capitalize on the Chinese New Year they will want to release a new schedule by Jan 1. Price point under $1,500 and the flights will be completely full. 2X weekly for American. I’d question if they have the equipment for anything more. If demand is really high they can swap a 77W from the JFK LHR route for a 787.
Makes sense as the government attempts to appease its people after a lengthy three years of house arrest, essentially. Regardless, this means little other than that all countries accepting Chinese travellers should reinforce their covid test and quarantine policies. I believe India has already listed China as one of five countries of concern and will require mandatory testing upon arrival.
I would have been happy for them to keep their border closed forever.
To be honest international travel has been so much more pleasant in the last few years. I am really not looking forward to this.
This policy change benefits those foreign nationals in China the most. There is no announcement regarding changing of the visa policies. Basically those who have a visa issued after March 2020 or a currently valid residence permit can enter. The visas are mostly limited to work, study, and family reunion. Tourist visas have not been issued for years and few business visas have recently been issued.
The flight prices in and out of China...
This policy change benefits those foreign nationals in China the most. There is no announcement regarding changing of the visa policies. Basically those who have a visa issued after March 2020 or a currently valid residence permit can enter. The visas are mostly limited to work, study, and family reunion. Tourist visas have not been issued for years and few business visas have recently been issued.
The flight prices in and out of China are expensive. Mostly going to China and this will likely not change anytime soon. Flights remain limited to a couple of times per week per route and you falsely assume that it is/will be easy for Chinese nationals to travel overseas which is not the case and probably will not be anytime soon.
This said Chinese travelers represent a huge customer base for the major hotel chains and airline partnerships.
You would need to have rocks in your head to vist China for any reason whatsoever at the present time!
My country has always required foreigners from any country to have an entry visa. In the name of Dollars-For-Tourism I assume it has never been at all dificult for most, including China, to get the necessary visa.
I sincerely hope our new government is not asleep at the wheel in summer holiday torpor,...
You would need to have rocks in your head to vist China for any reason whatsoever at the present time!
My country has always required foreigners from any country to have an entry visa. In the name of Dollars-For-Tourism I assume it has never been at all dificult for most, including China, to get the necessary visa.
I sincerely hope our new government is not asleep at the wheel in summer holiday torpor, and puts some immediate Covid restrictions and requirements on travellers from China to prevent a catastrophic outbreak of probable new variants we are ill-equiped to manage. Am hoping for too much?
so can tourist come to China in 2023??? I have been waiting for 3 years.. Ya Lord..
Ok, so many visa's have been suspended, but does anyone know if visa-free eligible passengers will be able to enter (Japanese passport specifically)?
Visa free passports are already able to enter (with quarantine presently).
"You can’t help but scratch your head at the concept of locking down your country for nearly three years over a virus, and then once it starts spreading uncontrollably, you conveniently claim that it’s no longer a big deal or a major risk."
Ridiculous comment - the virus circulating today is entirely different from the previous strains. This would be like continuing to take the same measures for the current strain of the spanish flu as back in 1918.
They're still not issuing visas? But how will I ever get my UrCove brand explorer marked off!
Ok, that's funny. XD
Most of them are mediocre, cookie cutter Fairfield / Hampton level hotels, you're not missing much, better hitting all-inclusive lol.
I would not let any Chinese tourists in anywhere until well into the spring. I especially would not let them in during Chinese New Year coming up. That is exactly how corona spread across the world in Feb/Mar of 2020.
Makes total sense from a Chinese perspective: time to unleash the latest mutations onto the world, so let Chinese people travel internationally.
The world was quite pleasant without Chinese tour groups shouting and spitting everywhere. Rather it stays that way.
China is getting opened up for their citizens to travel for the Chinese New Year without having restrictions when they come home. As it said in the article, they aren't issuing visa for tourist to visit their country. They are just opening up their door to spread some COVID to all the other countries during the Lunar New Year.
From reading the official announcement (in Chinese) it seems they remove quarantine requirements entirely (ie no monitoring or stay at home etc)
Look at every americans who “can’t trust” Chinese government. Lol.
If you trust your government, why not get vaccinated? Your government spent the most on clandestine services compared to any other country on planet earth and yet, you’re afraid of the CCP?
Be thankful that hundreds of millions of Chinese middle class tourists will be spending during your recession.
I think most of the world has long arrived at the conclusion no one can including their own citizens can trust the CCP. If you understand anything about Americans you’d realize we also have a healthy (in some unhealthy) distrust of our own government already. Even with good intent big government tends to screw stuff up which is why we look in horror at the CCP AND our own when they overboard. Apparently you were never taught that part of American culture.
Jkjkjk,
Chairman Xi appreciates your service.
Found the Chinese troll
Dude, if you knew ANYTHING about USAmericans, you'd know that:
(1) half of them distrust government to the paranoid-deluded state of believing they (plus a cadre of their best drinking buddies) may someday overthrow or with their little home arsenals;
(2) while the other half pretends to believe in government, but internally knows how incompetent and corrupt it is as a system.
Thus, how on earth can one be surprised that they distrust a foreign government?
I wouldn't be surprised all countries will put restrictions for Chinese to avoid another wave of infections - so testing and isolation for few days after arrival.
India just re-imposed covid testing for arrivals from 5 East Asian countries from Thailand to Japan including China.
I'd much rather China keep these restrictions in place given the level of covid spread china is experiencing and what the coming months will hold for them. There is a significant probability that new variants will arise in China maybe even more deadly or contagious than past variants. Last thing we want is chinese tourists flooding the world with new variants because they didn't get their vaccinations in order. Restrictions should stay in place in...
I'd much rather China keep these restrictions in place given the level of covid spread china is experiencing and what the coming months will hold for them. There is a significant probability that new variants will arise in China maybe even more deadly or contagious than past variants. Last thing we want is chinese tourists flooding the world with new variants because they didn't get their vaccinations in order. Restrictions should stay in place in china re: international travel until until they make it through their current surge. We all know the Chinese government can't be trusted to share information. No need to plunge the world into a brand new pandemic. China definitely needs to open up because covid zero was never a viable plan but now it seems like there is no plan at all. They went from one extreme to another and it can put themselves and the world at risk given the size of their population.
Jesus, you are unhinged. All over a damn cold!
It's literally not a cold. It's literally had a much higher death toll than a cold.
Is it fine with Paxlovid? Yes. Is that available without lying, cheating and stealing for most of the world? No.
You sick racist. Get help.
Are you referring to the article? someone’s comments? Or are you just hair triggered to say that as a bodily function similar to a burp
I agree totally with Ben's 3 bullet points, word for word.
2023 is going to be Wuhan Mark II, same product, new version, faster moving!
With the skyrocketing incidence of Covid in China now, they’re a Petri dish for new variants. This is extremely bad news.
New variants that are much milder, furthering the convergence of SARS-CoV-2 toward becoming a common cold virus.
One could have said the same about covid throughout the world yet new variants are what have saved us, not vaccines with terrible efficacy.
There’s 1-2 million COVID cases in China out of 1.4 billion population. You people (democrats) aren’t too good with numbers . Less than 1% of the population.
You Repugnants seem to not be very good with numbers either, especially when it comes to election results. What's bigger, 306 or 232?
Hopefully the ticket prices to China will go down soon. Right now, they are insanely high.
@Matt
Good point ! But I think at least from American standpoint flights will be limited with high demand. Maybe DFW-PVG 2X weekly and DFW-PKX 1X weekly. No idea what United and Delta would do. That’s just speculation because I’m with American.
@D3kingg, there's also YYZ and YVR options
DL hopefully will resume their daily SEA and DTW to PVG and new Daxing. So that’s 4 daily flights. If not mistaken they might even have LAX PVG as well but their pacific game not strong from LAX. Adding another one from ATL wouldn’t hurt also imo. But DL have been out of Beijing for over 3 years. They probably already let go all of employees. So not sure how difficult it is to restart...
DL hopefully will resume their daily SEA and DTW to PVG and new Daxing. So that’s 4 daily flights. If not mistaken they might even have LAX PVG as well but their pacific game not strong from LAX. Adding another one from ATL wouldn’t hurt also imo. But DL have been out of Beijing for over 3 years. They probably already let go all of employees. So not sure how difficult it is to restart Beijing. DL has good connectivity with a lot of skyteam members in that part. China Eastern, Xiamen, China Airlines, Korean, Vietnam and Garuda. Even Southern is still partner despite leaving skyteam and they start selling SQ connection flight as well.
you live in Florida, i guarantee you've caught it
Finally!
Lounges will be FULL in Asia again!
Only we can Travel. Who let the Chinese Out?
@What COVID ?
Given the state of our economy I would welcome Chinese tourists with open arms. Especially tourists that pay $89 a night for a motel and spend 2K on a shopping spree at the outlet malls.
On crap already made in China, I have never understood that
Mainland Chinese have always valued western brands - even when the same western brands make their product in China. They think things bought in the west are of better quality (and less likely to be counterfeit). And prices are often much cheaper in the west. Even in Hong Kong. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2139537/hong-kong-and-shenzhen-authorities-smash-hk620-million
Which is you when Chinese travel abroad they buy a ton.
Nope. Shit tons of Chinese middle class are now wealthy enough to buy made in europe designer labels.
Jkjkjk you are a joke…. Literally everyone here is stating exactly your point yes you come on here and say “Nope” and then proceed to disagree with them by agreeing with them. Are you so starved for attention? Or are you paid by the Chinese government by the post! Or perhaps you just aren’t too bright.
Stay locked in your home then, you damned coward.
You seem stable.
Literally every Covid policy CCP made after mass vaccine rollout - say April 2021, is political, including the current let-it-rip policy. It’s never about people’s health. Zero-Covid? To keep CCP’s Make China Great Again story valid (westerners are not obedient while Chinese ppl are so china is superior). No entrance of foreign vaccines? That means china’s tech power is superior so we don’t need it. Total reopen? We’re running out of mons so let’s reopen...
Literally every Covid policy CCP made after mass vaccine rollout - say April 2021, is political, including the current let-it-rip policy. It’s never about people’s health. Zero-Covid? To keep CCP’s Make China Great Again story valid (westerners are not obedient while Chinese ppl are so china is superior). No entrance of foreign vaccines? That means china’s tech power is superior so we don’t need it. Total reopen? We’re running out of mons so let’s reopen fast and let the economy roll again so our corrupt officials can buy houses in LA again and our kids can buy Bentley at Irvine again!
The core of this is, china’s switch of Covid policies *doesn’t mean they changed their mind*. They don’t GAF to its people and prioritize propaganda effect over everything. If they can do something totally nonsense, they can switch it to the exact opposite way in a sudden, because they simply can do it.
China saved many lives with their zero covid policy when earlier variants were substantially more fatal. Now with a highly infectious yet much less severe variant, China really had no choice but to let it rip.
Why would they have permitted foreign vaccines? They were able to sit by and watch as the efficacy approached zero.
In retrospect, China's policies have made much more sense than those in the west where nonsense policies,...
China saved many lives with their zero covid policy when earlier variants were substantially more fatal. Now with a highly infectious yet much less severe variant, China really had no choice but to let it rip.
Why would they have permitted foreign vaccines? They were able to sit by and watch as the efficacy approached zero.
In retrospect, China's policies have made much more sense than those in the west where nonsense policies, like vaccine passports, were all too common.
Stop making sense, their brains will explode. Let them marinate in the special blend of ignorance, entitlement, privilege and racism that makes the US so flavorful. I grab my popcorn and just read. Engaging with wild beasts only gets you gored and enlightens them nothing.
Lol you jealous you can’t buy a Bentley or a multiple multi million dollar house in LA? It boggles my mind that many Americans are brainwashed into thinking that only CCP member get rich. Do you know how much money foreigners especially Americans made from businesses in China? OMFG. But hey. Blame the CPC. Don’t blame the american business owner who get shit tons of money from doing business over there… and you Americans claimed...
Lol you jealous you can’t buy a Bentley or a multiple multi million dollar house in LA? It boggles my mind that many Americans are brainwashed into thinking that only CCP member get rich. Do you know how much money foreigners especially Americans made from businesses in China? OMFG. But hey. Blame the CPC. Don’t blame the american business owner who get shit tons of money from doing business over there… and you Americans claimed you’re the free thinker?
In the past 3 decades, income for regular chinese people have increased a lot, how about in America? Yet you blamed ccp? Nice one
And even with all that the US is in the top ten in average earnings while China is almost number 40 nestled between Russia and Bulgaria…. China still has a long long way to go before you start comparing income of the average worker both on a relative and absolute basis. They have a lot of potential but are still not quite on the same level just yet… to imply otherwise to someone who has...
And even with all that the US is in the top ten in average earnings while China is almost number 40 nestled between Russia and Bulgaria…. China still has a long long way to go before you start comparing income of the average worker both on a relative and absolute basis. They have a lot of potential but are still not quite on the same level just yet… to imply otherwise to someone who has spent a good deal of time there is laughable and makes me suspect 1) You’ve never been there or 2) You are typing away at the behest of the Chinese government. Good luck in your trolling regardless.
I simply find it interesting as most tankies construe this as me simply against CCP. It's terribly wrong. CCP is the fruit of evil Chinese ideals - say if you're against far-right political ideals, you won't think it's done after Trump is down, or far-left political ideals with the counterpart, right? Same thing, Putin is the fruit of Russian chauvinist ideals. And you think ending Putin can end Russian aggressions?
The reason behind is...
I simply find it interesting as most tankies construe this as me simply against CCP. It's terribly wrong. CCP is the fruit of evil Chinese ideals - say if you're against far-right political ideals, you won't think it's done after Trump is down, or far-left political ideals with the counterpart, right? Same thing, Putin is the fruit of Russian chauvinist ideals. And you think ending Putin can end Russian aggressions?
The reason behind is the fact that the only reason any propaganda works is people buy it. I still miss Hu's time when people send calcium pills to China's MoFA to tell them to "harden their spine" - but they were doing their job far better than the current wolf warriors. Why CCP decision makers are turning this way? because people buy it. Same trick for last months' covid policies. It could be true that CCP was righting their wrongs back in 2003 against the old coronavirus back in Jan 2020, but soon they found out such decision can achieve a higher political goal. CCP's goal is their survival and advantage in resource distribution, so they have no reason not to play this way. Having this in mind, would you believe it is only CCP's fault?
Praise CCP, respect people's decisions.
Early in the pandemic, the People's Republic of China was doing a better job than most countries. Now they are doing worse than almost every country.
In contrast, the Republic of China is doing much better. They are Taiwan.
Taiwan did better every step of the way.
Taiwan's nearly three-year border closure was pointless, as were the outdoor mask mandates that persisted for most of that time. Taiwan's policy was every bit as absurd as China's; it was just more humane, because they slowly convinced the people to want/support it instead of forcing them to do so under duress.
Sure. Whatever. The point is Asian countries are better than Western countries. Hahaha Your country sucks.
But hey. You guys have illusion of “freedom”.
Are you just here to troll or contribute?
Americans: I will never set foot in China again!
Corporate overlord boss: Go to China!
Lowly 1K/EXP/DD salesman: yes boss!
@Bob
For sure.
Also Americans , I don’t trust the Chinese government but I trust the US government because I’m incapable of forming an opinion of my own and besides I have no self respect .
Yikes. I guess Europe will be crowded again next summer.
Maybe those tourists will fish Europe out of its deep recession?
Not sure what you are talking about. I found Europe to have been packed for quite awhile now.
This is disappointing news. I've thoroughly enjoyed the chance to revisit Paris, Rome, Tokyo, and other cities without the massive crowds of Chinese tourists following a big plastic sunflower. But the good news is that Americans will again be "good" in comparison!
Sadly, we didn't need China for that. Was in Tokyo a week ago - it was a total scene.
Go to hell you racist.
Big plastic sunflower, oh, you made me laugh, thanks!
I've traveled extensively during covid and enjoyed it immensely. To see London, Prague, Venice, Amsterdam without tourists was such a privilege! All those test and mask requirements were a pain, but definitely worth it to jump a few hoops. And planes were half-empty and hotel prices rock-bottom.
I miss covid.
Daniel there’s a place in hell waiting for you. Missing a disease that killed millions? Perish by a million cuts while durian eaters take turns farting in your mouth. Some of those farts will be diarrhea which you should eat.
You can have my Covid, then. Just brought it home from Iceland, or was it my stop in Helsinki?
Maybe you should have asked the locals about how they viewed you, the tourist.
Yet there is nothing you can do to stop them. Keep wishing, you pathetic racist.
Well, it was good when it lasted. Looks like many popular destinations will be flooded again with even more tourists. So glad I checked off some places in the past year and a half.
I'd much rather have Chinese tourists than the drunk, overweight, puking, rioting, and whore-seeking mobs from the 'West'. Anyway, congratulations.
Do you mean Brits? only ones I have ever seen anywhere in the world worse than an "average" US citizen
Massive capacity expected with all Chinese Airlines catching up leading to hopefully decreased flight fares
@BobNL
As another poster mentioned high fares. Hopefully. They are aware of the high demand so I wouldn’t get my hopes up for a rock bottom fare to mainland China like the old days. I don’t expect the US3 to run back to high frequency schedules.
Anything beats $1500 RT. Sub $800 would be good.
The Chinese people are tired of the draconian lockdowns and the economy is tanking so the Chinese government has to do something. Xi Jinping has locked up the CCP and news sources are saying that crematoria are busier than ever in China despite calling a fraction of the deaths as caused by covid.
So, yeah, open up the flood gates and see what international airlines want to jump into that mess. Since the IATA...
The Chinese people are tired of the draconian lockdowns and the economy is tanking so the Chinese government has to do something. Xi Jinping has locked up the CCP and news sources are saying that crematoria are busier than ever in China despite calling a fraction of the deaths as caused by covid.
So, yeah, open up the flood gates and see what international airlines want to jump into that mess. Since the IATA slot exemptions are locked in until the spring, it is doubtful that anyone will add much any time soon or lay crews over in China.
Although I strongly believe the news is correct given the mass amount of award inventories CZ had published for January and February in J.
Dear Ben,
Would use please provide a credible source given the language tone in the title?
Ben wrote the article, he is the credible source
Ben you need to block and remove the above racist commenter based on the handle.
@Legalize All Drugs
Lol really ?
Ya, it’s China that has a vaccine that isn’t very effective… lol
When the pandemic started, China declared all visas invalid. I wonder if they will consider them valid again. I have 10-year multiple entry business visa that was a big hassle to obtain.
Yep, this is the thing. Your tourist visas (especially the US 10yr) aren't valid at the moment. So no matter how many changes are made in regard to testing requirements, quarantine, etc., until they reinstate tourist visas you aren't getting in.
Hopefully they just accept the old visas once things open up again. I have over two years left on mine.
Jim specifically said he has a 10-yr biz visa. As do I.
Are you saying those aren't valid for the remainder of the terms?
Ben, I'm quite sure you will review this announcement very soon as China is again on a never before seen spike of the virus. Albeit I hope I'm wrong.
If anything, the current covid spike is likely what convinced the government to make this change. For the next several months, someone entering China will be far more likely to catch covid after landing than to import a case himself. Similar logic was what led to the opening of borders in former covid zero holdouts like Australia and New Zealand.
Yes covid is tearing thru China but the cat is out of the bag now. They can't switch back to covid zero with this number of cases. Covid zero was falling apart prior to their decision. Then when they looked at the economic harm it became more about just ripping the band aid off. Last thing they wanted was cases going up in spite of covid zero and having people protesting the government. A situation...
Yes covid is tearing thru China but the cat is out of the bag now. They can't switch back to covid zero with this number of cases. Covid zero was falling apart prior to their decision. Then when they looked at the economic harm it became more about just ripping the band aid off. Last thing they wanted was cases going up in spite of covid zero and having people protesting the government. A situation like that could quickly spiral out of control for their government. It is just too bad that they haven't spent all this time getting ready for a reopening. Its been evident for awhile by now that we will have to live with this virus. It won't just go away magically.