Will quarantine or observation be required for foreigners after entering China? With the epidemic spreading in countries, will restriction be placed on cross-country travel? See the information released by the authority!

Will quarantine be required for foreigners after entering China?

According to the information released at the Press Conference on Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council, all places involved shall take such inspection and quarantine, prevention and control measures as temperature measurement, home-based or centralized observation in line with the need of epidemic prevention and control for those upon arriving in China from the countries and regions hard hit by the epidemic. These measures have been being taken in accordance with the laws and regulations of China. And these measures are not only necessary but also effective in terms of controlling and preventing the spread of the epidemic, which is surely favorable for the prevention and control of the epidemic both in China and other countries.

Will the prevention and control measures for foreigners be the same as those for their Chinese counterparts?

According to the information released at the Press Conference on Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council, the foreigners and their Chinese counterparts will be treated equally, with the same measures to be implemented accordingly, whose reasonable concerns, religions and customs will be taken into consideration for the best possible care and respect. The local communities will provide necessary assistance to help those involved with their difficulties in life after entering China.

What is needed for entry-exit health declaration?

According to the information released at the Press Conference on Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council, all involved are required to go through entry-exit declaration of health. The authorities of Customs shall check the declarations strictly to make clear whether or not there are symptoms, whether or not the ones involved have been within 14 days to the regions or countries hit by the epidemic, and whether or not there are contact cases with the affected. The declaration cards have been translated into more than ten languages, and special APPs have been made available for mobile phone-based “online declaration, quick clearance” with the QR codes formed and checked at the ports of entry.

How to prevent the epidemic entering China from overseas?

According to the information released at the Press Conference on Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council, strict “three inspections, three investigations and one transfer” will be implemented for all entry-exit personnel. The “three inspections” cover 100% check on health declaration, all-round body temperature measurement, and strict medical investigation. For those with symptoms, or coming from the regions or countries hard hit by the epidemic, or with contact experience with the confirmed and suspected cases, the “three investigations” shall be strictly implemented, namely, epidemiological investigation, medical investigation and laboratory testing. The “one transfer” refers to such measures as transfer, quarantine and observation to be taken for those proved in the “three investigations” as confirmed, suspected cases, symptoms, or with close contacts with the confirmed cases.

What prevention and control measures will be taken for international flights?

According to the information released at the Press Conference on Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council, ventilation and disinfection of aircrafts and airports shall be strengthened, body temperatures be measured for all inbound and outbound passengers, personal protection and health management for all front-line personnel including crew members and security inspectors be reinforced, and prevention and control guidelines for airlines and airports be released at the earliest possible time. Confronted with the current situation of the epidemic spreading in some countries and regions, CAAC has formulated differentiated epidemic prevention and control measures for different regions at different levels and will integrate various indicators such as epidemic situation and flight operation characteristics of the regions and countries involved to distinguish flight operation risks and implement differentiated management for the fulfilment of accurate prevention and control and refined implementation of policies.

With the epidemic spreading in countries, will restriction be placed on cross-country travel?

According to the information released at the Press Conference on Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council, close attention will be paid to the situation of the epidemic spreading overseas, and meanwhile communication, coordination and consultation be strengthened with relevant countries to reduce some unnecessary transnational travel activities according to the change of situation and trend of the epidemic. All involved on our side and our overseas counterparts shall work as hard as expected to do a good job in the exchange of personnel and thus ensure that the exchange of personnel as well as the cooperation and exchanges in various fields between China and other countries cannot be affected seriously.

How can the stranded Chinese citizens in the countries hit by the epidemic return to China?

According to the information released at the Press Conference on Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council, for the Chinese citizens stranded abroad, CAAC has established an international flight mechanism to coordinate the airlines at home and abroad to make flight plans every week and issue such plans regularly. For the next step, close contacts will be maintained with the embassies and consulates of China in other countries according to the change of the epidemic situation, and extra flights or charter flights, if necessary, will be arranged to help the Chinese citizens stranded abroad return to China.

What shall be done if the visas of foreigners in China expire in the epidemic prevention and control period.

According to the information released at the Press Conference on Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council, if the visas of foreigners in China expire in the epidemic prevention and control period, such visas can be extended for two months automatically for the ones involved. During such extension period, no extension formalities are needed, and the ones involved can still stay in China legally or exit China normally.

How to apply visas for the foreigners to come to and participate in the epidemic prevention and control in China?

According to the information released at the Press Conference on Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council, for the foreigners without visas made ready in advance but in urgency to come to and participate in the epidemic exchange and cooperation or important business and trade as well as scientific research activities in China, port visas can be applied at the ports of entry.