Published Dec. 28, updated Jan. 6, 2023: Following a significant spike in COVID-19 infections and the easing of border restrictions and other mitigation strategies in China, countries have announced they would require negative COVID test results for travelers from China. The following is a developing list of policy updates related to COVID-19 travel requirements.
- Australia | From January 5, travelers departing China, Hong Kong, and Macau will be required to test negative for COVID-19 in the 48 hours before boarding flights to the country. Negative test results will be required to board a flight in China and upon arrival in Australia. The testing requirement applies to everyone flying to Australia from China, including Hong Kong and Macau, except children under 12 years of age, flight crew, people with documentation of recovery from COVID-19 within the last 30 days or a medical condition that prevents them from undertaking a COVID-19 test, and patients and other passengers on emergency medical evacuation flights. Travelers flying from China, including Hong Kong and Macau, with a stop in Australia before directly traveling on to another country and travelers to Australia from another country but with a stop in China, including Hong Kong or Macau, for less than 24 hours, do not need to test. Read more >>
- Canada | From January 5, air passengers two years and older originating from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau will be required to test no more than 2 days before they depart from the PRC, Hong Kong, or Macau, and show a negative test result to the airline upon departure. Read more >>
- France | Travelers from China will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result less than 48 hours before departure. Tests will be required for all flights from China, including stopovers. Passengers will also be required to wear a mask. In addition, from January 1, French authorities will conduct random PCR tests upon arrival for some travelers coming from China.
- India | All travelers from China, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Japan will have to complete a self-declaration form on the Air Suvidha portal before their scheduled travel, which will include travel details of the previous 14 days. Additionally, they must upload to the portal a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report conducted within 72 hours of their flight and submit a declaration of authenticity.
Additionally, all travelers to India should be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and should expect thermal screening upon arrival. Passengers who are found to be symptomatic during the screening shall be isolated and taken to a medical facility. A sub-section (2% of the total passengers) of all incoming international flights shall undergo random post-arrival testing at the airport, irrespective of the port of departure. Children 12 years old and younger are exempt from pre-board and post-arrival testing unless they are symptomatic. Each Indian state has the authority to set their own health and entry requirements. Read more >> - Israel |The Israeli National COVID-19 headquarters reported that foreign citizens on flights from China to Israel would be subject to a COVID-19 test before boarding. The order is effective Friday, December 30.
- Italy | All passengers arriving from China, including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, to Italy must submit to the airline proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken 72 or 48 hours before departure for molecular tests or antigen tests. Upon arrival, travelers will be required to take an antigen test at the airport or local health center within 48 hours. Travelers who test positive will be required to take a molecular test for genome sequencing and to self-isolate with another test required to end the isolation period. Read more >>
- Japan | From December 31, travelers from mainland China to Japan will have to present a negative COVID-19 test result conducted within 72 hours of boarding a direct flight from China.
- Malaysia | All visitors entering the country will undergo temperature screening checks. Travelers with symptoms will be referred to the country’s health authorities.
- Morocco | From January 3, there will be a ban on all people arriving from China, regardless of nationality.
- South Korea | From January 5, travelers from China will be required to submit negative test results from a PCR test taken within 48 hours or, from January 2, a rapid antigen taken within 24 hours before departure and a PCR test upon arrival. South Korea will also suspend short-term visas for Chinese nationals until the end of the month.
- Spain | Travelers from China will have to show proof that they are fully vaccinated or have negative COVID-19 test results. The policy is effective January 8, 2023.
- Sweden | From January 7, travelers from China are required to show a negative COVID-19 test result. The requirement will be in place until January 28. Travelers who are under 12 years of age, Swedish citizens, Swedish residence permit holders, and long-term residents of the EU and EEA are exempt.
- Taiwan | From January 1, travelers from mainland China will have to test for COVID-19 upon arrival.
- United Kingdom |From January 5, travelers 12 years and older flying from mainland China to England must take a COVID-19 test no more than 2 days before travel. The testing requirement applies to all direct and indirect flights originating from mainland China. It applies if England is the final destination or a transit stop. Travelers must provide the original test notification. From January 8, some passengers will be invited to take a voluntary test on arrival to monitor for potential new variants. Read more>>
- United States | Starting at 12:01 AM ET on January 5, air passengers two years and older originating from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau will be required to test no more than 2 days before their departure from the PRC, Hong Kong, or Macau, and show a negative test result to the airline upon departure. Read more >>
Erickson Insights
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments, and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.