China Considers Restricting Domestic Flight Boarding for Unvaccinated Passengers

Interpreted as measures to strengthen quarantine and increase vaccination rates
Also seen as steps to gain international recognition for Chinese vaccines like Sinopharm

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese health authorities are considering restricting domestic flight boarding for unvaccinated individuals.

On the 11th, according to Chinese media including Huanqiu Shibao, China Southern Airlines and Hainan Airlines posted notices stating that passengers booking flights from Shenzhen (Shenzhen) to Beijing must present a negative COVID-19 test result obtained within 48 hours before boarding along with proof of COVID-19 vaccination (at least one dose). This is the first time Chinese airlines have required proof of COVID-19 vaccination for domestic flight passengers.

Photo by Baidu Capture

A China Southern Airlines official told Huanqiu Shibao, "On the 9th, Guangdong Province health authorities instructed airlines to apply the highest standards related to infectious disease prevention and control policies, which led to the requirement for submitting vaccination certificates."

Huanqiu Shibao reported that the notice was withdrawn shortly afterward for unknown reasons, but added the airline official’s comment that this requirement would be in place "for the time being." It also mentioned that vaccination before boarding could become mandatory.

Zheng Guang, Chief Epidemiologist at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said, "Vaccination against COVID-19 as a boarding requirement will become a trend for domestic and international travel," adding, "Such prevention policies will pave the way for China to adopt vaccine passports." He further explained, "Coordination among relevant authorities is needed to implement this policy nationwide," and "If vaccination records are adopted as proof for domestic travel, more citizens will be motivated to get vaccinated."

As of the 9th, China has surpassed 820 million vaccine doses administered. China plans to achieve herd immunity by the end of the year by completing vaccination (second dose) for over 70% of the entire population.

It cannot be ruled out that Chinese health and aviation authorities may include vaccination as a requirement for domestic flight boarding to increase vaccination rates. There is also analysis suggesting that China might use domestic flight boarding restrictions as leverage to gain international recognition for Chinese vaccines such as Sinopharm and Sinovac. Based on reciprocity, China is likely to refuse recognition of vaccines from countries that do not acknowledge Chinese vaccines. Even if travelers have received overseas vaccines like Pfizer and enter China, if China does not recognize those vaccines, they may face restrictions on domestic flight boarding. This will inevitably cause significant inconvenience for foreigners entering China for business purposes.

A source in Beijing said, "If domestic flight boarding is restricted, foreigners visiting China for business purposes could face great difficulties," and added, "Chinese authorities are promoting the introduction of vaccine passports with several countries, and there are prospects that the Chinese government could reach agreements on vaccine passports with some countries as early as July or August."

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