(Headline USA) Travelers entering China will no longer need to provide a negative PCR test result starting Saturday, in another easing of China’s “zero COVID” policies.
Travelers can instead show a negative antigen test result taken within 48 hours before boarding, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters Tuesday.
The country, which gifted COVID-19 to the rest of the world, ironically became known for implementing the most draconian lockdown procedures of any nation, including some that have remained in effect years after the virus ran its course elsewhere..
Over the last three years, China imposed an array of anti-virus controls to try to eliminate the coronavirus from the country, including lockdowns and regular mass testing. But after the regulations hammered the economy and sparked protests, the government suddenly rolled back the onerous measures in December and made a major step to drop its quarantine rule in early January.
Last month, the country resumed issuing all types of visas as part of its efforts to revive tourism. Still, it kept PCR testing requirements for passengers arriving from some countries, a costly requirement that was a major deterrent for visitors.
China’s method for administering the tests, in some cases, was criticized for violating the comfort and dignity of its guests by relying not on nasal swabs but instead using rectal ones to collect DNA through stools.
In an early effort to test and embarrass the Biden administration, it required that U.S. diplomats submit to this procedure, forcing the new president to beg his Chinese benefactors to stop.
Judicial Watch later sued to obtain the records from the State Department and was able to confirm that the testing occurred.
PCR tests are highly accurate but cost time and money, while antigen tests are easier to obtain.
“To further facilitate cross-border travel, China is taking new steps to refine pre-departure testing requirements guided by the principle of ensuring safe and orderly travel and keeping the measures science based and well targeted,” Mao said.
She added that airlines will no longer be required to check test results before departure.
At a briefing on Wednesday, He Qinghua, an official of the National Health Commission, said the number of COVID-19 cases in early April had dropped to the lowest level since December.
Although the figures have risen slightly since mid-April, massive outbreaks in the short term are unlikely, he said.
Adapted from reporting by the Associated Press
