Effective January 5, travelers from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau will need to provide evidence of a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test before boarding the aircraft if headed down under to Australia. This move follows suit from other countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and France.
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Surging COVID-19 cases in China
China's population of 1.42 billion has recently seen skyrocketing COVID-19 infections as restrictions were finally eased, with estimations the country will experience between one and two million COVID-19-related deaths in 2023. However, as widely reported, inconclusive detailed information about the epidemiological situation regarding Chinese COVID-19 infections has raised concerns in other countries, with many now deciding to request negative pre-departure tests to protect those within their borders. Australia's health minister, Mark Butler, commented on Australia's concerns:
"That lack of comprehensive information has led a number of countries in recent days to put in place various measures — not to restrict travel from China, it's important to say — but to gather better information about what is happening epidemiologically in that country.
"I want to stress that the government welcomes the resumption of travel between Australia and China... I also want to stress that this is a temporary measure, reflecting the lack of comprehensive information right now about the situation in China."
Only a temporary measure
The move is only temporary while Australian health officials monitor the situation in China. As a precaution, Australia decided to implement these measures ahead of the predicted removal of all Chinese travel restrictions from January 8.
China will resume issuing passports and visas this week as it moves away from its COVID-zero policy. The move leads to anticipation of a flood of Chinese travelers ahead of the Lunar New Year in February.
After the announcement on December 27 that China would remove its harsh COVID-19 restrictions, travel bookings surged. Not surprisingly, those in China have lived with some of the most drastic restrictions for three years and will be looking forward to their newfound freedom.
Top of the list for Chinese travelers
As the Chinese gear up for a year of travel, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, the United States, Britain, and Australia are top of the list, with travel inquiries surging for these destinations. Those hoping to tick China off their bucket list may have to wait a little longer, as the Chinese government will restrict the issuing of visas for foreign visitors until mid-2023 as the country perseveres to vaccinate the country's elderly.
Hong Kong will also remove inbound COVID-19 testing for travelers as the special administrative region opened its borders with neighboring China this month.
No decision from neighboring New Zealand
The New Zealand government is still assessing the risk of whether pre-departure testing is necessary for Chinese inbound travelers. The country abolished its pre-departure testing for all countries in June last year. Health Minister Stuart Nash reported that the health risk assessment is underway and a decision would be made within 24 hours, noting:
''Our response will remain proportionate to the potential risks posed by travellers and in the context of the international situation''.
Sources: Sky News Australia, ABC, Reuters, Health.gov.au, Stuff.co.nz