China Eases Quarantine for Overseas Arrivals... Quarantine Halved in 8 Cities Including Nanjing

Nanjing, Wuxi and 6 Other Cities Change '14-Day Quarantine + 7-Day Observation' to '7-Day Quarantine + 7-Day Observation'
Chinese Health Authorities Indicate Easing, Citing Omicron Variant Characteristics and Ongoing Data Accumulation

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] China, which has been criticized for implementing excessive quarantine policies, is showing signs of easing its quarantine measures, including shortening the quarantine period. As the 'Zero (0) COVID policy' negatively impacts economic growth, major provinces, cities, and autonomous regions appear to have introduced differentiated quarantine policies.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

State-run Global Times reported on the 21st that eight major Chinese cities, including Nanjing and Wuxi in Jiangsu Province, are implementing quarantine policies that reduce the quarantine period by half.

The Nanjing quarantine authorities shortened the quarantine period from the previous '14 days (7+7) of centralized quarantine followed by 7 days of observation' to '7 days of quarantine followed by 7 days of observation,' cutting the quarantine period by one week. Global Times reported that Nanjing authorities shortened the quarantine period starting in June.

It added that Wuxi in Jiangsu Province also began applying the same quarantine period as Nanjing from the 20th.

The media explained that Chengdu in Sichuan Province, Xiamen in Fujian Province, and Ningbo in Zhejiang Province are applying a 10-day centralized quarantine policy for overseas arrivals. This is a reduction of 4 days from the previous quarantine period, interpreted as partially accepting criticism that excessive quarantine for overseas arrivals hampers economic growth.

The media also reported that some cities such as Guangzhou, Qingdao, and Xi'an, which have previously undergone lockdown-like measures due to a resurgence of COVID-19, are maintaining their existing quarantine periods.

Visa application procedures have also been eased. Global Times stated that from the 20th, visa application procedures for some countries including France, Nigeria, and Indonesia have been simplified, and these countries no longer require employment visa invitation letters or invitation letters for foreign-national family members visiting China.

An expert from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention commented on the shortening of quarantine periods in some Chinese cities, saying, "The period during which the Omicron variant virus affects the human body is estimated to be about 7 days on average," and added, "Since quarantine policies affect exchanges with other countries, policies will be implemented based on accumulated data." This is interpreted as a slight easing of quarantine policies considering the short incubation period of the Omicron variant and the difficulties expressed by overseas arrivals regarding quarantine.

However, restrictions on inter-provincial movement for residents of some areas such as Chaoyang District in Beijing, where COVID-19 infections have recently surged, are expected to continue for the time being. Some cities including Chongqing, Xi'an, and Wuhan are implementing separate quarantine policies requiring 7 to 14 days of quarantine for people registered in Chaoyang District, Beijing.

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