• Passengers arrive at Hankou railway station on the first day of peak travel ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday in Wuhan, Hubei province. AFP
    Passengers arrive at Hankou railway station on the first day of peak travel ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday in Wuhan, Hubei province. AFP
  • People wearing masks rush to catch their trains in Suzhou, a city in eastern China's Jiangsu province. This Lunar New Year public holiday, which officially begins on January 21, will be the first since 2020 without coronavirus travel restrictions. Xinhua via AP
    People wearing masks rush to catch their trains in Suzhou, a city in eastern China's Jiangsu province. This Lunar New Year public holiday, which officially begins on January 21, will be the first since 2020 without coronavirus travel restrictions. Xinhua via AP
  • Passengers at Hankou railway station in Wuhan. China is bracing itself for an increase in the spread of coronavirus infections amid the large amount of travelling. AFP
    Passengers at Hankou railway station in Wuhan. China is bracing itself for an increase in the spread of coronavirus infections amid the large amount of travelling. AFP
  • Passengers board their train at Hankou railway station in Wuhan. AFP
    Passengers board their train at Hankou railway station in Wuhan. AFP
  • People wearing masks prepare to catch their trains at the North Railway Station in Shenzhen, a city in southern China's Guangdong province. Xinhua via AP
    People wearing masks prepare to catch their trains at the North Railway Station in Shenzhen, a city in southern China's Guangdong province. Xinhua via AP
  • Passengers arrive at Hankou railway station in Wuhan. AFP
    Passengers arrive at Hankou railway station in Wuhan. AFP
  • Passengers make their way to a Beijing railway station as people go back to their hometowns for Lunar New Year celebrations. AFP
    Passengers make their way to a Beijing railway station as people go back to their hometowns for Lunar New Year celebrations. AFP
  • This Lunar New Year public holiday, which officially begins on January 21, will be the first since 2020 without coronavirus travel restrictions. AFP
    This Lunar New Year public holiday, which officially begins on January 21, will be the first since 2020 without coronavirus travel restrictions. AFP
  • China's Ministry of Transport said on Friday that it expects more than two billion passengers trips over the next 40 days. AFP
    China's Ministry of Transport said on Friday that it expects more than two billion passengers trips over the next 40 days. AFP
  • China on Saturday marked the first day of chunyun, the 40-day period of Lunar New Year travel, and braced itself for an increase in the spread of coronavirus infections. AFP
    China on Saturday marked the first day of chunyun, the 40-day period of Lunar New Year travel, and braced itself for an increase in the spread of coronavirus infections. AFP
  • China has dismantled its zero-Covid policy over the past month following protests against frequent testing, restricted movement and mass lockdowns. AFP
    China has dismantled its zero-Covid policy over the past month following protests against frequent testing, restricted movement and mass lockdowns. AFP

As China reopens for travel, here's everything you need to know


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

After three years, China is finally reopening for travel, but as the country experiences its first national wave of Covid-19 cases, what does that mean for travellers going into and flying out of the country?

What is changing in China on January 8?

As it scraps its zero-Covid policy, which has led to the rise in cases, Chinese authorities are lifting several major Covid-related entry restrictions as of Sunday and this includes quarantine requirements for international arrivals.

Before now, foreign travellers needed to quarantine for five days in a hotel and self-isolate three days at home.

Now, anyone heading to China needs to take a nucleic acid test 48 hours before departure and people with negative results no longer have to apply for a green health code from embassies and consulates before entering the country.

Visitors do still need to fill in a customs health declaration form, however, and positive cases cannot travel to China until they're testing negative again.

Can international travellers now fly to China?

Not quite. Borders remain mostly closed to foreign travellers for leisure reasons for now, but an easing of restrictions has been announced, with no clear timeline. For example, the country needs to start issuing tourism visas again and while that's part of the reopening plan, no date has been set for it.

For now, the focus is on visa applications for foreign nationals travelling to the country for business, family reasons, employment and reunions.

This includes Chinese nationals studying or working abroad, who may not have been able to travel home for nearly three years due to the costs of flight tickets or hotel quarantines.

Can people fly out of China?

Yes, the rule that stopped Chinese citizens from going overseas for "non-essential" reasons has also been lifted, allowing international travel for leisure again. Getting back into the country has become much easier, too.

Passengers arriving from overseas, on the first day that quarantine requirements were officially lifted for international arrivals, at Beijing Capital Airport on January 8, 2023. Photo: Bloomberg
Passengers arriving from overseas, on the first day that quarantine requirements were officially lifted for international arrivals, at Beijing Capital Airport on January 8, 2023. Photo: Bloomberg

According to global travel service provider Trip.com Group, mainland China's outbound flight bookings on the morning of December 27 — the day after the easing of travel restrictions from January 8 was announced — increased by 254 per cent, when compared to the previous day.

In particular, searches for flights to Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and Thailand led the surge.

China's Ministry of Transport said on Friday that it expects more than two billion passengers to take trips over the next 40 days.

However, as Covid-19 cases soar in the country, international governments have placed restrictions on travellers coming from China.

Qatar, for example, announced it would require people arriving from China to provide a negative Covid-19 result from a test taken within 48 hours of departure, with the measures in place from last Tuesday.

The US, Canada, Australia and the UK imposed PCR testing requirements on any travellers from mainland China from Thursday.

  • A notice for travellers arriving from China to undergo mandatory Covid tests at Caselle airport, in Turin, Italy. EPA
    A notice for travellers arriving from China to undergo mandatory Covid tests at Caselle airport, in Turin, Italy. EPA
  • Italy on December 29, 2022, became the first European country to officially start testing for Covid-19 among people arriving from China. EPA
    Italy on December 29, 2022, became the first European country to officially start testing for Covid-19 among people arriving from China. EPA
  • The move came after China's announcement it was set to open its borders, as new variants of coronavirus surged in the Asian country.
    The move came after China's announcement it was set to open its borders, as new variants of coronavirus surged in the Asian country.
  • Travellers arriving from China are tested for Covid at Malpensa Airport, in Milan. EPA
    Travellers arriving from China are tested for Covid at Malpensa Airport, in Milan. EPA
  • Italy has urged the rest of the EU to follow its lead and test travellers from China, but most of the bloc's members have said they see no need to do so. EPA
    Italy has urged the rest of the EU to follow its lead and test travellers from China, but most of the bloc's members have said they see no need to do so. EPA
  • The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control says it does not currently recommend measures on travellers from China. EPA
    The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control says it does not currently recommend measures on travellers from China. EPA
  • Travellers arriving from China line up for Covid testing in Malpensa Airport, in Milan. EPA
    Travellers arriving from China line up for Covid testing in Malpensa Airport, in Milan. EPA
  • Travellers arriving from China line up for Covid testing in Malpensa Airport, in Milan. EPA
    Travellers arriving from China line up for Covid testing in Malpensa Airport, in Milan. EPA
  • Health workers at Malpensa Airport, in Milan. EPA
    Health workers at Malpensa Airport, in Milan. EPA

Morocco took this one step further by banning all travellers arriving from China, “to avoid a new wave of contaminations in Morocco and all its consequences”, said the foreign ministry.

But the International Air Transport Association called these "knee-jerk reactions".

“Several countries are introducing Covid-19 testing and other measures for travellers from China, even though the virus is already circulating widely within their borders," said Willie Walsh, director general of IATA. "It is extremely disappointing to see this knee-jerk reinstatement of measures that have proven ineffective over the last three years.

"Research undertaken around the arrival of the Omicron variant concluded that putting barriers in the way of travel made no difference to the peak spread of infections. At most, restrictions delayed that peak by a few days. If a new variant emerges in any part of the world, the same situation would be expected.

"That’s why governments should listen to the advice of experts, including the World Health Organisation, that advise against travel restrictions."

What about domestic travel?

While domestic travel within China has been largely allowed throughout the pandemic, its popularity has had peaks and troughs, particularly as movement was restricted thanks to digital health codes. But these are no longer in place.

Chinese travel agencies are reporting spikes in bookings and searches to various destinations, including Beijing, particularly around the Lunar New Year public holiday, which runs from January 21 to 27.

Major attractions across the country, including museums and theme parks, are now welcoming visitors as normal.

What Covid restrictions remain in China?

China scrapped its zero-Covid policy, which it has had in place since the beginning of the pandemic, in December, following public protests.

This included mass testing, home quarantine for people with Covid-19 and sporadic lockdowns.

Currently, there are no government mandates for face mask-wearing and social distancing, although it's strongly encouraged in indoor places and on public transport, where mobile health QR codes are also still required.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Election pledges on migration

CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections" 

SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom" 

BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP

Group A

Paraguay
Japan
Switzerland
USA

Group B

Uruguay
Mexico
Italy
Tahiti

Group C

Belarus
UAE
Senegal
Russia

Group D

Brazil
Oman
Portugal
Nigeria

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

The Farewell

Director: Lulu Wang

Stars: Awkwafina, Zhao Shuzhen, Diana Lin, Tzi Ma

Four stars

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ric%20Roman%20Waugh%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EGerard%20Butler%2C%20Navid%20Negahban%2C%20Ali%20Fazal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results

Catchweight 60kg: Mohammed Al Katheeri (UAE) beat Mostafa El Hamy (EGY) TKO round 3

Light Heavyweight: Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) no contest Kevin Oumar (COM) Unintentional knee by Oumer

Catchweight 73kg:  Yazid Chouchane (ALG) beat Ahmad Al Boussairy (KUW) Unanimous decision

Featherweight: Faris Khaleel Asha (JOR) beat Yousef Al Housani (UAE) TKO in round 2 through foot injury

Welterweight: Omar Hussein (JOR) beat Yassin Najid (MAR); Split decision

Middleweight: Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) beat Sallah Eddine Dekhissi (MAR); Round-1 TKO

Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammed Ali Musalim (UAE) beat Medhat Hussein (EGY); Triangle choke submission

Welterweight: Abdulla Al Bousheiri (KUW) beat Sofiane Oudina (ALG); Triangle choke Round-1

Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Saleem Al Bakri (JOR); Unanimous decision

Bantamweight: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Nawras Abzakh (JOR); TKO round-2

Catchweight 63kg: Rany Saadeh (PAL) beat Abdel Ali Hariri (MAR); Unanimous decision

Key developments

All times UTC 4

Company Fact Box

Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019

Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO

Based: Amman, Jordan

Sector: Education Technology

Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed

Stage: early-stage startup 

Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.

End of free parking

- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18

- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued

- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket

- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200. 

- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200

- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

CABINET%20OF%20CURIOSITIES%20EPISODE%201%3A%20LOT%2036
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGuillermo%20del%20Toro%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tim%20Blake%20Nelson%2C%20Sebastian%20Roche%2C%20Elpidia%20Carrillo%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
FIXTURES

Saturday
5.30pm: Shabab Al Ahli v Al Wahda
5.30pm: Khorfakkan v Baniyas
8.15pm: Hatta v Ajman
8.15pm: Sharjah v Al Ain
Sunday
5.30pm: Kalba v Al Jazira
5.30pm: Fujairah v Al Dhafra
8.15pm: Al Nasr v Al Wasl

DUNE%3A%20PART%20TWO
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Denis%20Villeneuve%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Timothee%20Chamalet%2C%20Zendaya%2C%20Austin%20Butler%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Silent Hill f

Publisher: Konami

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Rating: 4.5/5

Reading List

Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:

Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung

How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh

The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever

Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays

How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen

In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

FINAL SCORES

Fujairah 130 for 8 in 20 overs

(Sandy Sandeep 29, Hamdan Tahir 26 no, Umair Ali 2-15)

Sharjah 131 for 8 in 19.3 overs

(Kashif Daud 51, Umair Ali 20, Rohan Mustafa 2-17, Sabir Rao 2-26)

Jewel of the Expo 2020

252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome

13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas

550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome

724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses

Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa

Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site

The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants

Al Wasl means connection in Arabic

World’s largest 360-degree projection surface

Updated: January 08, 2023, 6:29 AM