China has lifted one of its final Covid-19 quarantine measures, as international travellers arrive onshore
After almost three years of strict Covid-19 measures, China has opened its border.
On Sunday, mainland China opened to Hong Kong travellers as part of the last Covid-zero strategy, which has been a hallmark of Beijing’s response to the pandemic.
The policy, which had been described as “draconian” by Human Rights Watch, had largely kept China’s 1.4 billion people safe from the virus.
However, it had also cut Beijing off from the rest of the world and led to nationwide protests at some of the nation’s largest univerisities.
One woman told the AFP news agency she was pleased with the easing of restrictions, while waiting at Shanghai’s Pudong international airport.
“I think it’s really good that the policy has changed now, it’s really humane.”
“It’s a necessary step, I think. Covid has become normalised now and after this hurdle everything will be smooth,” she said.
As the Covid measures were loosened, many rushed to plan travel abroad.
However, some European countries imposed mandatory pre-departure Covid-19 tests on Chinese travellers.
The European Union said tests should be taken not more than 48 hours prior to departure from China.
It follows a rise in locally-acquired Covid-19 infection across China, making it the nation’s worst-ever outbreak.
Travel freedom as lunar new year looms
Millions of Chinese travellers are expected to take to the skies as China enters its busy lunar new year holiday period.
On Saturday, China marked the start of the 40-day travel period.
China’s Ministry of Transport said more than 2 billion passengers will travel in the 40-day holiday period.
Beijing officials believe it would mark 70 per cent of the holiday traffic seen on pre-pandemic figures.
