China unveils tighter coronavirus testing rules for travellers from the US
- Passengers must have a nucleic acid test and submit the results for review to a Chinese embassy or consulate within three days of the flight
- Non-Chinese citizens must also present a health declaration to board
From September 15, all passengers will have to provide negative coronavirus test results within three days –rather than the previous two weeks – of the flight to be allowed to board, according to the Chinese embassy in Washington.
The embassy said the action was “to ensure the health and safety of international travellers and to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission between countries”.
Foreigners will also have to send the results of the nucleic acid test, a health declaration and copies of their passport to the embassy or a consulate for review, a process that should take one working day, the embassy said on Friday.
Antibody or blood serum test results will not be accepted but the nucleic acid test can be performed by any legal medical or testing body.
Foreigners must present the health declaration as they board while Chinese citizens must show a green health code on the WeChat app.