China: Officials continue to enforce entry requirements in Beijing as of March 23 /update 1

Event

Officials continue to impose tighter requirements to enter Beijing from other parts of China as of March 23 due to COVID-19 concerns. Entrants must take a COVID-19 test within 48 hours before departure and have a "green" code on the city's health tracking app. Travelers must also undergo a COVID-19 nucleic test within 72 hours of arriving in Beijing. Individuals with a travel history in the past 14 days to cities, districts, or banners with land border crossings should not visit Beijing unless necessary; people currently in Beijing who have visited such locations within the last 14 days must report to their local authorities.

Increased health screenings are likely at the Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), and other passenger transport hubs throughout Beijing over the weeks. Flights and ticket sales to Beijing from cities regarded as high- or medium-risk areas may remain suspended. Officials may continue to limit flights from the capitals of provincial-level regions that have high- or medium-risk COVID-19 areas.

Officials could launch testing operations in other areas of Beijing; several rounds of testing are likely in areas with reported COVID-19 cases before restrictions ease. Officials could place additional localities, especially adjacent communities, under localized movement controls if more COVID-19 cases emerge; the government may also impose additional gathering, business, and travel restrictions in Beijing as a precaution.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Remain polite and nonconfrontational if questioned by security personnel. Confirm travel reservations to, from, and in Beijing.