Post-Zero Covid Travel News You Might Have Missed, Feb 6

St. Petersburg to Resume Direct Flights to Beijing: After nearly three years, the Russian city of St. Petersburg is set to resume direct flights to China’s capital on Feb 19, according to TV BRICS.

The flights will be carried out by Hainan Airlines, who will operate the flights using an Airbus A330-300 aircraft. Experts believe St. Petersburg can count on 300,000 tourists from China this year, with a recovery of tourist flow to pre-Covid levels not expected before 2024.

Thai Airways Prepares to Relaunch Key China Routes: Thai Airways is expected to relaunch key routes to China soon, including to Beijing and Shanghai, reports Aviation Source.

Flights from Bangkok to Beijing will re-commence on Mar 1, with only three flights per week, departing from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi at 10.10am, arriving in Beijing at 3.50pm. Flights back to Thailand will depart Beijing at 5.05pm and arrive in Bangkok at 9.15pm.

Countries With Covid Testing Rules for Arrivals from China: As of press time, 20 countries currently have Covid testing requirements or travel restrictions in place for air travelers coming from China.

South Korea – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken within 48 hours, or proof of negative antigen self-test result from test taken within 24 hours prior to departure. This includes passengers flying to South Korea from other countries who have previously been in China seven days prior to their flight. All passengers must undergo another PCR test after arriving in the country.
(Source: https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/cn-zh/brd/m_21043/view.do?seq=87#)

Canada – Proof of negative PCR or antigen self-test result from test taken two days prior to departure.
(Source: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-19-pre-boarding-test-requirements-china-hong-kong-macao)

Australia – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken 48 hours prior to departure.
(Source: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/covid19/)

France – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken 48 hours prior to departure.
(Source: https://solidarites-sante.gouv.fr/actualites/actualites-du-ministere/article/mise-en-place-de-mesures-sanitaires-pour-les-passagers-en-provenance-de-chine)

Qatar – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken within 48 hours prior to departure for arrivals from Chinese mainland.
(Source: https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/travel-and-return-policy/Pages/default.aspx)

USA – Proof of negative PCR test result with two calendar days' validity or proof of recovery from Covid.*
(Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html)

UK – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken within two calendar days before departure for arrivals from Chinese mainland (direct or indirect flights).** (Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19#travel-from-mainland-china)

India – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken within 72 hours of departure for arrivals from Chinese mainland and Hong Kong SAR. (Source: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/)

Italy – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken within 48 hours of departure or negative antigen test result from within 48 hours before departure for arrivals from Chinese mainland.
(Source: https://www.esteri.it/en/ministero/normativaonline/focus-cittadini-italiani-in-rientro-dall-estero-e-cittadini-stranieri-in-italia/)

Israel – Proof of negative PCR test result from test taken within 72 hours of departure for non-Israelis, including those who have been to China seven days prior to departure.
(Source: https://corona.health.gov.il/en/abroad/arriving-by-air/)

Spain – Proof of full vaccination (two shots) against Covid, or negative PCR test result from test taken within 72 hours prior to departure, or negative antigen test result from test taken within 24 hours prior to departure.
(Source: https://www.sanidad.gob.es/en/profesionales/saludPublica/ccayes/alertasActual/nCov/spth.htm)

Japan – Testing all arrivals from Chinese mainland on arrival plus proof of negative PCR test result from test taken within 72 hours of departure.
(Source: https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html)

Morocco – All arrivals from the Chinese mainland, regardless of nationality, are banned from entering the country.
(Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230102_08/)

Netherlands – Proof of negative PCR or antigen test result within 48 hours of departure for airline passengers aged 11 and up.
(Source: https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/visiting-the-netherlands-from-abroad)

Sweden – Proof of negative PCR test result within 48 hours of entry into the country.
(Source: https://www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se/the-public-health-agency-of-sweden/communicable-disease-control/covid-19/recommendations-for-those-travelling/)

Cyprus – Proof of negative PCR or other NAT result within 48 hours of departure.
(Source: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-01-11/cyprus-requires-negative-covid-tests-for-china-arrivals)

Germany – Proof of negative PCR, antigen or other NAT result taken within 48 hours of departure.
(Source: https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/service/gesetze-und-verordnungen/guv-19-lp/coronaeinreisev.html)

Austria – Proof of negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours of departure.
(Source: https://www.austria.info/en/service-and-facts/coronavirus-information/entry-regulations)

Greece – Proof of negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours of departure or negative antigen result taken within 24 hours of departure.
(Source: https://travel.gov.gr/#/)

Portugal – Proof of negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours of departure plus random testing for arrivals from China.
(Source: https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/covid-19-measures-implemented-portugal)

Unless mentioned otherwise, all the above countries require negative test results from arrivals coming from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong SAR, and Macao SAR.

*Requirements pertain to those entering the US via Incheon International Airport (Seoul, South Korea), Toronto International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport (both in Canada), who have been to the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong SAR, or Macao SAR within ten days before their flight.

**Excludes Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

READ: Post-Zero Covid Travel News You Might Have Missed, Jan 16

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