Covid-19 situation in mainland China
China has given up its strict zero policy regarding the Covid pandemic. At the same time, the country's COVID situation is going through an unprecedented phase as the virus spreads fast in the population. The authorities have in principle given up on tracking the positive cases. The Chinese authorities have announced that a person positive for Covid-19 should remain in home quarantine. It is recommended to go to the hospital only if the symptoms are severe. People mainly test the COVID by home tests. According to the recommendations, quarantine and self-monitoring can be finished when there are no more symptoms and or when the person has had at least two negative COVID test results. However, the situation and restrictions may still change suddenly and unpredictably. The challenge could be the inadequacy of healthcare capacity and the weakness of the population's immunity defense against COVID. It may still be required to present the local health code application and a negative PCR or antigen test result when visiting public premises.
Immigration regulations and travelling within the country
Traveling to China is still hard and there are challenges in the availability of flights. Chinese authorities require travelers to have one negative coronavirus test result before the travel. The test requirements need to be checked from the Chinese Embassy website and directly from the airline before the visit.
Those arriving in the country need accept a five-day centralized quarantine and three days of self-monitoring. The traveler covers the expenses of the quarantine hotel. Quarantine durations can vary by province and the rules may change suddenly and unexpectedly. These are some of the reasons why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends avoiding unnecessary travel to China at the moment. We remind all travelers and those already in the country to make a travel declaration(Link to another website.).
Most provinces and cities have either completely or partially abandoned tracking the health app codes that were previously required to enter most of the public spaces. In addition, extensive mass testing has been given up either completely or partially nationwide. However, it may still be required to present the local health code application and a negative PCR or antigen test result when visiting public premises. There are specific phone apps for registering and reporting antigen test results. As the instructions for health applications may change suddenly, we ask you to follow the information provided by the local authorities.
The city-specific green health application code should work automatically after completing the entrance quarantine. The codes usually require Chinese telephone number.
Although the interprovincial travelling should be possible without scanning the health codes, some locations might still ask to the traveler to present the green code.
More information:
Chinese Embassy in Finland(Link to another website.).
Home page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China(Link to another website.)
CAAC homepage of the Civil Aviation Authority of China(Link to another website.)
Health
China is experiencing the first wave of COVID infections since the restrictions were lifted. The zero policy was revised to the treatment and prevention of serious cases.
The Chinese authorities have announced that a person positive for Covid-19 should remain in home quarantine. It is recommended to go to the hospital only, if the symptoms are severe. According to the recommendations, the family members in the same apartment with the infected person should also stay in quarantine. Testing is done by home test kits. Quarantine and self-monitoring can be finished when there are no more symptoms and when the sick person has gotten at least two negative test results. The mask recommendations when entering public spaces or transportation vary city by city.
When visiting hospitals, you may have to register with a QR code. Currently, almost all treatment facilities and hospitals require a negative PCR test result. In principle, the hospitals and medical staff do not have the right to deny treatment to a person who lacks the negative PCR test result. However, the hospitals can make a PCR or antigen test on a person before admission.
In some provinces, access to public facilities or hospitals may be restricted from the unvaccinated persons.
More information:
National Health Authority of China(Link to another website.) (NHC)
Finnish missions’ customer service
Finland's visa centers (VAC) in Beijing and Shanghai are open as the COVID situation allows. Visa applications should be submitted to the visa centers, and all visa types can be applied.
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)
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.