China or end quarantines for inbound travelers on Jan 8th

On Monday, the National Health Commission announced that China will no longer require inbound travelers to go into quarantine starting from Jan. 8.

This is a major step towards easing curbs on its borders, which have been largely shut since 2020. China’s management of Covid-19 will also be downgraded to the less strict Category B from the current top-level Category A.

The health authority said in a statement that the disease has become less virulent and will gradually evolve into a common respiratory infection.

Strict requirements on inbound travelers had remained in place, including five days of mandatory quarantine at a government-supervised facility and three more of isolation at home; however, these restrictions will be removed from Jan. 8.

Travelers entering China will still have to undergo PCR testing 48 hours before departure.