China has fully opened its international border to foreign tourists today for the first time in three years.
It marks the end of its final major restriction from the pandemic. The border shut on 28 March 2020.
It means foreign tourists with valid travel visas will now be allowed to visit China, and visa applications can now be approved again by Chinese officials.
Travellers will still need to undertake a COVID test and receive a negative test result before boarding.
Background
China reopened its international border to some travellers in January, after abandoning a COVID-zero policy targeted at eradicating the virus.
China recorded over 17,000 COVID cases in the first week of March and 107 deaths, according to the most recent data supplied to the World Health Organisation.
However, many health officials have previously warned that China’s COVID-19 data could be an underestimate of the actual amount of cases present.
Further details
Travellers to China will still need to undertake a COVID test and receive a negative test result before boarding.
It will also change travel requirements for tourists travelling to China via sea, and visiting Chinese territories off the mainland.
Background
China reopened its international border to some travellers in January. This was included for purposes such as business, study, and seeing family.
It came as a significant change from its previous COVID-zero policy, which forced strict measures to limit the spread of the virus, and was in place until December last year.
The policy came under significant scrutiny and protests by Chinese people, and led to the first decline in China’s economy in almost 50 years.
