Embassy issues requirements for China-bound travelers

China-bound travelers are required to take nucleic acid and IgM antibody tests for COVID-19, as well as present certified health declaration forms, before boarding their flight starting November 7, the Chinese Embassy said Friday.

Passengers going to China via direct flights have to take both tests at a medical institution recognized by the Chinese embassy or consulates within 48 hours before boarding.

They then need to apply for a "green health code with the 'HS' mark or a certified health declaration form with certificates of negative results of both tests," the embassy said in a statement.

Travelers going to China via connecting flights must meet these requirements in both the country of origin and the transit country, the embassy said.

Chinese passengers must upload their negative test results and their flight itinerary to the WeChat Health Code app for examination and verification by the Chinese embassy/consulates. They will get the green health code and present it within the validity period to the airline before boarding.

Meanwhile, foreigners applying for a certified health declaration form must email the scanned copies of their negative test results, their passport information page, flight itinerary, and the signed health declaration form to the Chinese embassy or consulates.

The form can be downloaded from the embassy's website.

The embassy or consulates will examine the information and email the stamped certified form back to the passenger, who is advised to print it out for presentation to the airlines before boarding.

The embassy said the validity period of the certified form is calculated based on the sampling date.

The embassy stressed that passengers who fail to get the green health code with the "HS" mark or a certified health declaration form do not qualify to go to China.

Passengers going to China via connecting flights were also reminded to check the transit country's entry regulations and requirements to avoid getting stranded. — DVM, GMA News