China Lifts Mandatory Antigen Testing for Arrivals Starting from the 30th

Return to the Pre-COVID-19 Period

China will lift the mandatory pre-entry COVID-19 rapid antigen test requirement starting from the 30th, returning entry procedures to the state before the infectious disease outbreak.

View of Tiananmen, Beijing, the capital of China [Image source=Yonhap News]

Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a regular briefing on the 28th, "From the 30th, people coming to China will no longer need to undergo nucleic acid or antigen tests for COVID-19 before entry."

Previously, after the spread of COVID-19, China required incoming travelers to take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, but simplified entry procedures starting April 29 of this year. Until then, those entering China had to submit PCR test results obtained from hospitals or other facilities within 48 hours before boarding the aircraft, but this was replaced by submitting rapid antigen test results that travelers could perform themselves to Chinese authorities. The PCR tests conducted by airlines on passengers were also abolished.

With the announcement on this day to also discontinue antigen testing, the entry procedures to China have returned to the pre-COVID-19 state.

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