Q&A ABOUT FOREIGNERS ENTRY-EXIT ISSUES IN CHINA

All answers below are from the Press Conference of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council.

1 Q: Do foreigners who enter China need to take medical observation?

A: For foreign nationals who come to China from key epidemic countries and areas, we will take preventive measures such as taking body temperature, observation at home or in other designated places. These measures, in accord with Chinese regulations and law, can prevent the transmission of virus both at home and abroad, which will strengthen the efforts of epidemic prevention and control put by China and other countries.

2 Q: I’m going to enter/exit China, how can I submit my health information?

A: All passengers must submit their health information for check. Customs staff will examine if you have suspected symptoms, if you have traveled to epidemic countries or areas in the past 14 days, or if you have contact with confirmed/suspected cases. The Exit/Entry Health Declaration Form of the People’s Republic of China is available in over 10 languages and a specialized mini-app has been developed. Outbound passengers can submit related information through cell phones. A personal QR code will be generated after submission. Customs staff will check your health information by scanning your personal QR code.

3 Q: In the entry-exit stage, how to prevent the virus from transmitting from abroad?

A: Firstly, for all passengers, related staff will check their health information, test their body temperature and strictly carry out medical tour inspections.

Secondly, for those passengers who have symptoms, come from key epidemic countries or areas, or had contact with confirmed/suspected cases, medical workers will examine them from the perspective of epidemiology, medicine, and medical laboratory to see if they are infected.

Thirdly, for passengers who are identified as confirmed/suspected cases, close contacts, or with symptoms, we will take measures such as transfer them to hospitals, keep them in quarantine, or do medical observation.

4 Q: What preventive measures will be taken on international flights?

A: We will take measures to strengthen the disinfection of aircraft and airports, body temperature test of entering/exiting passengers, self-protection and health management of frontline workers such as aircrew and security staff, and will timely release guides on epidemic prevention and control for airlines and airports. We’ve noticed that the virus is transmitting in some countries and areas. For the purpose of formulating targeted policies on epidemic prevention and control, the Civil Aviation Administration of China has taken different measures after comprehensively evaluating the epidemic situation and flight characteristics of different countries and areas to differentiate and rate the risks off lights.

5 Q: Will international traveling be restricted as a result of the transmission of the virus in other countries?

A: We will pay close attention to the epidemic situation of other countries and reduce some unnecessary international travel on the basis of the epidemic situation. We will also strengthen our efforts in exchanging epidemic information and coordination to prevent the virus from making impacts on the international cooperation and exchanges between China and other countries.

6 Q: For Chinese citizens who are stranded overseas, how can they return to China?

A: Civil Aviation Administration of China has set up a specialized mechanism, which coordinates airlines both at home and abroad to schedule flights on aweekly basis and will announce the scheduled flights regularly. Next, in accordance with the epidemic situation, we will keep close contact with our embassies abroad and timely arrange chartered planes to take Chinese citizens back if necessary.

7 Q: My Chinese Visa expired during the epidemic, what can I do?

A: For foreigners (already in China) whose visas expired during the epidemic, the validity period of their Chinese visa will be automatically extended for extra 2 months. Within the extended period, there is no need to go through the visa extension procedures and you will be able to stay in China or leave the country in accordance with the law.

8 Q: I come to China for epidemic prevention and control, how can I apply for my Chinese visa?

A: For those who come to join the epidemic prevention and control in China, to do Chinese traditional medicine business or to carry out scientific research, they can apply for the port visa if they are in urgent need to enter China and thus don’t have enough time to apply in advance.