Is Travelling to China Allowed Now?
China has been highly in the news in the recent months with the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, originating from the city of Wuhan in the Hubei province in the country. The Chinese government has taken drastic steps to control the spread of the virus, with large-scale lockdowns, border regulations, health screenings and monitoring of citizens. This has left many people wondering if travelling to China is still allowed at all.
According to Dr. Kavya Srivastava, from the Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies, who specializes in Chinese health policy, the Chinese government has imposed a stringent ban on travellers from abroad, and even Chinese citizens, where they are required to wear tracking devices if they are visiting affected regions and submit themselves to a 14-day quarantine period. All visas and foreign residence permit holders, from most countries, have been suspended until further notice, unless they are exempt from the regulations.
According to travel experts, those who are exempt from the regulations and are allowed to travel to China are usually those with business-related travel, diplomats, and a very select few who falls under China’s humanitarian and compassionate factors. Nevertheless, even those who are allowed to travel must take note of the heightened security at airports and other transport hubs, with stringent screenings and mandatory 14-day quarantine periods in designated quarantine zones.
Apart from the regional entry bans in certain areas, the Chinese government has also placed a ban on the import of seafood and other products from affected areas and have adopted strict measures to control the spread of the virus. Additionally, citizens who are found to have left for affected areas, or are in contact with those who have, are subjected to strict monitoring and testing.
Despite the strict measures, Chinese citizens have proved to the world why it is one of the leading nations, when it comes to controlling the spread of the pandemic. With a population of 1.4 billion, the numbers of cases have remained low in comparison to other parts of the world. This is attributed by experts to the swift response by the Chinese government, and the strict adherence of the Chinese citizens to the guidelines.
Health Requirements Prior To Travelling To China
The Chinese government has also advised travellers to get their health requirements updated before going for the journey, like getting Hepatitis B vaccines at least one month before the journey, getting international health certificates, buying correct medical insurance and obtaining necessary visa applications in time.
International tourists are advised to get regular updates online and from the media about the current travel advisories and alert levels in place, and to take personal reference of their situation prior to travelling. For instance, if citizens are travelling for tourism to a province where no coronavirus cases have been reported, they must take extra precautionary health measures and keep an eye on the health advisories in the region.
Meanwhile, if citizens are travelling to an area with a high risk of coronavirus infection, especially a city with more than 100 cases reported, they should avoid travelling. Additionally, those who have travelled to China recently should monitor their health for at least 10 days upon arrival, and seek medical attention if they are feeling any symptoms like fever, respiratory difficulty and loss of taste.
What Is the Chinese Government Doing To Help Travelers?
The Chinese government is implementing a number of measures to safeguard the health of travelers coming into the country, particularly those who are at higher risk of contracting the virus. This includes providing travellers with necessary health information and alerts; allowing for entry for travelers from select countries, with approved health insurance and documentation; and providing them with hotel vouchers, transportation costs and other related services as a part of the precautionary measures.
Additionally, the government has also provided strict guidelines on how to properly handle personal protective equipment (PPE) while ensuring that travelers are protected from the virus through mandated use of PPE such as gloves and masks. Furthermore, the government has also mandated regular screenings for travellers coming in from affected areas, as well as contact tracing and other precautionary measures.
For those travelling to China for business, the government has launched a ‘traveller’s +1’ program, where those travelling are required to give a comprehensive list of contacts in China, which can be used for contact tracing if necessary.
Conclusion
Thus, travelling to China is still allowed, but requires a strict adherence to the guidelines issued by the Chinese government. Those travelling must take extra precautionary health measures and make sure they have the necessary documents in order prior to their journey. Lastly, the Chinese government is also taking active steps to curb the spread of the virus, with the implementation of strict guidelines and measures to ensure the safety and security of travellers.
