Amid pandemic spike, China reopens to tourists Jan. 8

What is happening in China is really far-fetched, after keeping a strict "zero covid" approach for almost three years things are changing within two weeks.

The numbers literally skyrocketed with the government's decision to lift domestic restrictions and crackdowns.Today, it is estimated that nearly one in five Chinese would have the Covid-19: approx. 248 million people, or 18% of the population. Crazy numbers when we think about what was happening until November when entire neighborhoods were put on lockdown for a single case of positivity.

Goodbye travel restrictions from Jan. 8

The news the whole world has been waiting for for years thus comes in the midst of a pandemic wave China has never seen, Sunday, January 8, 2023 will mark the farewell to restrictions and the requirement for strict quarantine for travel to what is effectively the only nation still off limits to travel.

Until Jan. 7, travelers must spend at least five days in a quarantine hotel or isolation facility before they must be isolated at home. This already represents a significant loosening of restrictions, compared to when China required a three-week quarantine in a facility.

Here's what changes from Jan. 8, 2023 for travel to China:

• The following will be required a PCR test For coronavirus negative within 48 hours of departure
• Quarantine in a facility will no longer be required
• There will be no testing requirement upon arrival

It is not yet entirely clear whether there will be mandatory health monitoring upon arrival.

Before booking your ticket to see the Great Wall of China, it is good to remember that traveling to China requires a tourist visa, and at the moment the procedures are still suspended. Even visas issued before the pandemic outbreak have been reset, so all travelers will have to wait before they can board an eastbound flight.

Freedom of movement for the Chinese as well

This news will also accelerate the resumption of connections, in the general uncertainty all world carriers have minimized connections to China. While I have doubts that millions of tourists will want to leave in the direction of China, I believe on the contrary millions of Chinese will rush to jump on the first plane after 3 years of forced isolation.

At a time of a pandemic peak let's say it doesn't seem like the best thing to do, and in fact Japan, for reasons of proximity, has already changed the rules for passengers coming from China, and I think the same preventive measures should be put in place by other nations as well.

• goodbye restrictions