China will no longer require a negative nucleic acid test for COVID-19 from Saturday for anyone entering the country, a requirement that remained for travelers from several countries.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning explained at a press conference on Tuesday that, with the with the aim of “further facilitating exchanges between China and the rest of the world”, people traveling to the Asian country can “have an antigen test, instead of a PCR test”, in the “48 hours before boarding” .
Mao advised travelers to “protect their health” and “monitor” their health before traveling.
Last March, the Asian country’s embassies in several countries, including Portugal, had already announced the withdrawal of the PCR requirement to travel to China, although it remained in force for passengers from some countries.
For nearly three years, China had implemented a strict “zero case” policy for COVID-19, which meant almost complete closure of its borders: only Chinese citizens and a small number of foreigners were allowed to enter the country, provided they meet a minimum period of 14 days of quarantine in designated facilities.
The country began dismantling the strategy in late 2022 after protests erupted in several cities.
Source: DN
