China Finally Scraps Mandatory COVID Test For International Visitors 

Effective Wednesday, August 30, visitors from outside China will no longer need to present a negative COVID-19 test for entry.

According to the Associated Press, Wang Wenbin, a Foreign Ministry spokesman, announced during a press conference on Monday that removing the requirement for coronavirus testing is a significant step towards reopening China to the world.

China removed quarantine regulations for Chinese nationals returning from overseas in January. The government has not only increased the number of foreign flights but also expanded the list of countries whose travelers are permitted to visit.

Delta Air Lines has recently added 10 weekly flights from Seattle and Detroit to Shanghai-Pudong International Airport, starting October 29. Additionally, the airline will commence four weekly flights from Los Angeles to PVG in March 2024, a route that has been inactive since before the pandemic.

In response to China’s “zero COVID” policy, which resulted in citywide lockdowns and extended quarantines, efforts to eliminate COVID-related restrictions have been ongoing.

Prior to this change, travelers were required to stay in government-approved hotels for weeks, negatively impacting the economy, leading to unemployment, and sparking protests against the closures.

Chinese officials recently announced the resumption of group tours for various countries for the first time since the pandemic. According to China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, group trips to Australia, Britain, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the United States will be permitted, with the exception of Canada.