China to End COVID-19 Quarantine for Incoming Passengers

China announced on Monday the abolition of quarantine measures for those coming from outside the country, starting from January 8.

The National Health Commission said in a note that starting in January, arrivals will only be required to show a negative test result conducted less than 48 hours before they entered China.

Earlier, China decided to reopen borders and abandon quarantine measures aimed at stopping the spread of coronavirus infections on January 8, removing the last major restrictions under its strict "zero-COVID" policy, the South China Morning Post reported on Monday.

The Hong Kong daily quoted three sources from health authorities and hospitals in Guangdong, Fujian, and Jiangsu provinces as saying that China's National Health Commission on Sunday told them to prepare for lower levels of COVID-19 management, which means lockdown, isolation, and quarantine will not be needed.

Beijing dramatically eased its strict anti-virus measures on December 7, following a public outburst of frustration at rare nationwide demonstrations.

China has since dropped requirements such as repeated PCR testing, but the eight-day quarantine for foreign arrivals has yet to be officially lifted.

Last Monday, Hong Kong online media platform HK01 mentioned that one of its reporters, who had arrived in Beijing the day before, was relieved from isolation in a designated facility a day after signing a letter of consent to home quarantine.

The report indicates that the Chinese authorities have already eased the implementation of the quarantine policy.

Currently, five days of quarantine in a designated facility and three days of home isolation are required for foreign arrivals. Some people, including travellers who do not have a home in China, spend eight days in a facility.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee stated on Saturday that he expects China to reopen the city's border with the mainland by mid-January, according to local media reports.