Chinese embassies in Japan and South Korea said in statements on January 15 that travelers to China must take nucleic acid tests within 48 hours before their departure, and those who show negative results will be allowed to come to China.

The statements said the requirement is in response to the interim measures for travel between China and other countries after the optimization of COVID management released by the Chinese government on December 27, 2022.

In the statement, the embassies also said that passengers entering China from Japan and South Korea should complete the necessary customs clearance procedures after arriving at the port with the health declaration code. Those who have a normal health declaration and no abnormalities in the routine hygienic inspection at the port can enter the country.

However, people with abnormal health declarations or symptoms such as fever will be tested by the customs for nucleic acid. Those who test positive should be quarantined or seek medical treatment in accordance with the requirements of the notice.

China earlier suspended issuing short-term visas for South Korean and Japanese citizens seeking to enter China for visit, business, tourism, medical treatment, transit or other personal affairs, with the new adjustment taking effect starting January 10, Chinese embassies in South Korea and Japan said in the statements.

The decision will be reassessed once the two countries remove their discriminatory travel restrictions targeting travelers from China, the statement said.

[Source: Global Times]