COVID-19: Testing measures for passengers traveling to China from the US announced

IMPACT – HIGH

China has implemented new testing measures for passengers traveling from the United States.

Key Points:

• Effective today, Sept. 15, Chinese and foreign passengers taking a direct flight from the United States to China must complete a COVID-19 nucleic acid test within three days of boarding. Upon obtaining a negative nucleic acid test certificate, Chinese citizens must apply for a green health code with the “HS” logo through the WeChat mobile application. More information is available here.
• For foreign nationals, a report showing a negative nucleic acid (RT-PCR) COVID-19 test is acceptable, but antibody or serology test results are not. The negative test result certificates must be emailed or submitted to the Chinese Embassy or Consulates General in the United States. They must be submitted once they are issued and no later than 24 hours before boarding in the U.S. The certificate must be submitted to the embassy or consulate that has consular jurisdiction for the area where the testing facility is located. It must also be submitted with a scanned copy of a valid passport information page and the signed health declaration. Processing the health declaration usually takes one day. To view the list of embassy and consulates email addresses and submission links, please click here.
• Following the consulate’s approval, the copy of the scanned health declaration is sent back to the passenger. The passenger must print out the declaration and carry it with them while traveling. The health declaration will remain valid for three days following the nucleic acid test certificate’s issuance.
• Foreign nationals flying from the U.S. to China who transit through a third country or territory must meet the requirements in this Aug. 12 notice. COVID-19 nucleic acid tests should be taken within three days before boarding in the transit country.
• Foreign citizens transiting in the U.S. before flying to China must present a health declaration form to the airlines. The declaration will be verified by the Chinese Embassy or Consulates in the country of departure.

Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

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