China Strengthens Entry Management in Four Major Cities... Mandatory Nucleic Acid Testing for All Arrivals

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] To block overseas reverse inflow of COVID-19, the four major cities in China have strengthened management, including conducting nucleic acid tests on all incoming travelers.

According to the Beijing municipal government announcement on the 24th, starting from 0:00 on the 25th, Beijing will conduct centralized quarantine and nucleic acid testing on all incoming travelers. Even if entering through other Chinese airports, if travelers enter Beijing within 14 days of arrival, they must undergo centralized quarantine and nucleic acid testing within Beijing. The cost of centralized quarantine is borne by the individual, and the testing cost is implemented according to relevant regulations such as whether the person is enrolled in basic medical insurance or commercial insurance.

Shanghai has also strengthened control over incoming travelers and is conducting nucleic acid tests on all arrivals. Since the 22nd, 14-day quarantine and nucleic acid testing have been mandatory not only for travelers from 24 key COVID-19 countries including Korea but also for those from non-key countries. Those subject to centralized quarantine but requiring home quarantine must test negative in the nucleic acid test. The city covers the cost of nucleic acid testing. Starting from 0:00 on the same day, Shanghai also completely suspended international flights at Hongqiao Airport, one of its two major airports.

Guangzhou has been conducting free nucleic acid testing and 14-day home or centralized quarantine for all incoming travelers since the 21st. Those quarantined are released after 14 days if they show no symptoms and test negative on retesting. Shenzhen also began nucleic acid testing for all incoming travelers from the previous day. At the same time, all arrivals must undergo 14 days of quarantine observation at home or facilities. The cost of centralized quarantine is borne by the individual.

Within China, voices are growing for expanding nucleic acid testing and 14-day centralized quarantine measures to block reverse inflow of COVID-19. Wang Peiyu, deputy director of the School of Public Health at Peking University, advised that if Chinese cities conduct nucleic acid testing on all incoming travelers, most infected individuals can be filtered out, and to completely block COVID-19 inflow, all arrivals should undergo 14 days of centralized quarantine.

On the 24th, all 47 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases in China were overseas reverse inflow cases. Additional overseas reverse inflow cases were reported in Shanghai (19), Beijing (5), Guangdong Province (5), Tianjin (4), Fujian Province (4), Inner Mongolia (2), Jiangsu Province (2), Sichuan Province (2), Jilin Province (1), Zhejiang Province (1), Shandong Province (1), and Shanxi Province (1). So far, China has recorded a total of 474 overseas reverse inflow COVID-19 cases.

China’s strengthened measures to block overseas reverse inflow coincide with the increasing number of Chinese nationals wishing to return amid the worsening COVID-19 situation outside China.

The Chinese government advises its nationals staying abroad to refrain from traveling and remain in their current locations, but as the COVID-19 situation outside China worsens, calls are growing for the government to actively support their return.

On the same day, the Chinese state media Global Times, in an editorial, noted that in the past, China’s overseas missions advised international students to stay put, but the situation is rapidly changing now, and suggested that the government should consider deploying charter flights to bring back international students. The Global Times reported that since China’s entry management measures are being strengthened and quarantine measures are strictly implemented, transporting students by charter flights would not lead to a resurgence of COVID-19 within China.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.