Covid-19 situation in mainland China
China has reported Covid-19 –infections all over the country during autumn 2022. The spreading of the infections is controlled with strict lockdowns and restrictions on travelling. The mass testing is continuing in Beijing and Shanghai as well as in other cities. Beijing is implementing more restrictions on entering the city than other cities.
There are no signs of relaxing the very strict entry regulations into China and the flight situation remains difficult. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland has updated the travel advice to mainland China to advice against any non-essential travel to China on May 24.
Travelling to China continues to be difficult. Transit flights to China have been allowed since 30.6.2022. Anyone entering China is subject to quarantine measures. The current entry quarantine is 7 days in centralized quarantine which is followed by 3 days of self-monitoring. The duration of quarantine and health monitoring period might still vary between different provinces.
Entry regulations and travel within the country
From 30 June 2022, China requires all vaccinated travelers to obtain two negative Covid-test results. In addition, the negative test results have to be confirmed by the Chinese Embassy. Upon arrival to China, travelers are subject to undergo at least 7 days of centralized quarantine which is followed by 3 days of self-monitoring. The duration of quarantine and health monitoring period might still vary between different provinces. The regulations are prone to rapid and sudden changes.
Traveling within the country can be controlled by requiring a negative Covid-test, quarantine, or by other restrictions and regulations. All provinces have their own app-based health code and it can be difficult to travel between provinces without a Chinese id-card.
Some provinces in China might restrict unvaccinated people from traveling or from entry into public areas such as shopping malls or hospitals. China’s vaccination plan now includes foreigners living in China and local vaccines are largely accessible around the country. When traveling with the public transports, there might be long waiting times at stations and all arriving persons are required to register and be tested.
The Chinese authorities have informed that a Covid-19 positive person will be transferred to a designated hospital or quarantine center for treatment, regardless of the age of the person. This also applies to asymptomatic cases. Separating a Covid positive person from their healthy family members has been a key measure, which might be applied even in the case of children and infants. The Finnish Embassy and Consulate General have currently limited capacity to influence situations where the Chinese health authorities are the decision-maker.
Starting from 13 June, China has eased visa policy for the persons vaccinated by vaccinations approved by China, or by the WHO. PU letter for visa applicants is no longer required. In addition, visa facilitation for vaccinated family members of Chinese citizens or holders of Chinese permanent residence permit has started.
The Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Helsinki is closed until further notice.
China requires travelers to obtain a negative PCR test result no later than two days before boarding the flight. In addition, the negative test results must be confirmed by the Chinese Embassy. As of 30 June 2022, the Chinese embassy does not require the use of certain test facilities, but the PCR tests can be done at any test facility approved by the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Airlines might have some requirements for test facilities.
PCR tests must be taken 48 hours before the flight, either so that the tests are taken on the same day at two different test facilities, or 48 and 24 hours before the flight at the same test facility. The current test requirements should always be checked on the website of the Chinese Embassy in Finland and website of air carrier before the trip. If a person has had a COVID-19 infection, they can be understood as cured 14 days after the cure. Being cured is confirmed by two negative PCR tests taken within 48 hours, as well as by self-verified absence of symptoms for 14 days.
From 30 June 2022, it is possible to travel from Finland to China with a transit flight. In order to obtain a "green health code" that allows entry into China, travelers to China should always check the test requirements with the Chinese embassy of the country they are stopping over.
More information is available on the website of the Chinese Embassy in Finland(Link to another website.).
The centralized quarantine hotels are to be paid by the travelers own expense and ordering food in the hotels might be restricted. Leaving the quarantine requires negative PCR-test results. Leaving the hotel room or an apartment might be difficult during the health monitoring, unless there is a medical emergency. Several Covid-tests might also be performed during the health-monitoring period.
Local authorities in China’s provinces control traveling mainly by requiring a negative Covid-test result during entry and exit. Traveling between cities can be restricted.
Most public spaces (such as shops and restaurants) will not be accessible unless you have downloaded a health code application on your phone, in most cases integrated on Alipay or WeChat, and can display a green code. In principle, city-specific green codes should work automatically if there is no record of travel abroad or to certain areas that have been identified as high or medium risk areas. Codes usually require a Chinese telephone subscription to work. You may need to register with a separate QR code in public spaces, shopping malls or hospitals. Some provinces in China might restrict unvaccinated people from entry into public areas or hospitals.
Depending on the local regulations, a green health code may also be required when traveling within the country. There have been problems with the codes and purchasing flight tickets when traveling within the country, especially for foreigners. The health code application might also have required a new quarantine when arriving to a new area.
Flights by different airlines may be canceled by the Chinese authorities. Interruptions in air travel may take effect on a short schedule and last for several weeks.
More information:
Chinese Foreign Ministry Website(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)
Chinese Civil Aviation Authority CAAC website(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)
Health
During autumn 2022 China has reported coronavirus infections appearing all over the country. Entire cities may be placed in full or partial lockdown at a short notice. New imported cases have mainly been reported on immigration checks at airports or during the quarantine and the spreading of the virus has been attempted to control effectively.
Provinces where local infections are found are quick to perform mass testing on the population. Local authorities control leaving from the province or even from individual residential buildings. Much of the country has different rules regarding the use of respirators (including public transport and public areas) and quarantine within the country is possible.
A large proportion of people wear respiratory protection, depending on the city, even when outdoors.
For more information:
Chinese National Health Commission NHC website(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)
Finnish missions’ customer service
The Visa Applications Centers (VACs) in Beijing and Shanghai are open. Visa applications should be submitted at the centers. All visa application categories are applicable.
The reception of residence permit and passport applications, as well as notarial and legalization services operate normally in all Finnish missions in China.
If you need assistance with passport, notarial or legalization matters, please first contact us by e-mail: [email protected] (Beijing) or [email protected] (Shanghai).
In case of emergency outside office hours, please contact the Finnish Foreign Ministry's emergency service(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window), including cases where there is a risk for a child to be separated from their parents and transferred to a designated Covid Hospital.
Travel notification
We remind all travelers and those already in the country to submit a travel notification(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window).
If you have already submitted a travel notification and your stay abroad has been extended, it is advisable to change the end date on the travel notification. Doing this, we will be informed that you are still in the country, and we can send you notifications and inquiries. If you have registered to the service, you can edit the travel notification yourself. If you have not registered, you can submit a new travel notification.
If your travel notification did not have an end date or you have returned to Finland earlier than planned, the notification should be deleted. If you have registered to the service, you can edit the notification yourself. If you have not registered, you can send a removal request by e-mail to [email protected]. Please note that requests to change or delete a travel notification might take some time to process.