China is finally scrapping mandatory COVID testing for international visitors

As of Wednesday From August 30, visitors from outside China will no longer be required to present a negative COVID-19 test to be admitted.

The Associated press reports that Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a press conference on Monday that the requirement for coronavirus testing has been lifted is an important step towards reopening China to the rest of the world.

The Asian country has abolished quarantine requirements for Chinese nationals returning from abroad in January. The government has not only increased the number of foreign flights, but also expanded the list of countries to which travelers are allowed.

Since last week Delta Air Lines has added 10 weekly flights from Seattle and Detroit to Shanghai-Pudong International Airport starting October 29. The airline will begin four weekly flights from Los Angeles to PVG in March 2024; this route has not been served since before the pandemic.

Following China’s ‘zero COVID’ policy, which led to citywide lockdowns and lengthy quarantines for infected individuals, efforts to remove COVID-related restrictions have continued.

Previously, travelers were forced to lock themselves in government-approved hotels for weeks, stunting growth in the world’s second-largest economy, increasing unemployment and sparking widespread protests against the forced closures.

Chinese officials indicated this earlier this month group excursions would be allowed again for different countries, That would be the first time since the coronavirus pandemic. According to the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, group travel to Australia, Great Britain, Germany, Japan, South Korea and the United States are allowed, but not to Canada.