COVID-19 Policy
A physical conference values the most. Amid the virus policy shift, we have high hopes that all barriers, such as travel restrictions and forced quarantine, will be nullified when BS2023 comes. Cautious but determined, the world's eyes end to the COVID emergency in 2023 with everything gradually back on track. Various activities will roll out centering on a physical BS2023, and we send you a warm welcome to join this reunion, in Shanghai. However, in counter with any uncertainties, BS2023 continues to be a HYBRID event to your best ease.
Safety first. Despite the criticism and the economic impact, the dynamic zero-COVID policy successfully contained the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country. In the past three years, society paid a high cost in mass testing, vaccination, pandemic data system, and, most of all, the cooperation of the population. However, circumstances change. With the knowledge, treatment protocols, and medical resources prepared, it is time to adapt to the new reality. Exiting from zero-COVID, the policy will get loose very soon.
March 15, 2023 China resumes issuing all types of visas for foreigners, including the tourism visa, port visa, and multiple visa-exemption policies
- Valid multi-year multiple entry visas issued before March 28, 2020 by the Chinese visa authorities abroad shall resume function.
- Foreigners may apply for all types of visas (including those for tourism and medical treatment).
- Port visas shall once again be issued in line with the relevant laws and regulations.
- The visa-exemption policy for Hainan, visa-exemption cruise policy for Shanghai, visa-exemption policy for foreigners to visit Guangdong from Hong Kong and Macao, and visa-exemption policy for ASEAN tour groups to Guilin and Guangxi shall resume operation.
March 1, 2023 Instead of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, rapid antigen test (RAT, including RAT home testing kit) results will be accepted for air passengers flying directly to China. The new rule applies to travelers from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Russia, Switzerland, Hungary, New Zealand, Egypt and South Africa.
Jan 8, 2023 New policies issued.
- No testing and quarantine for inbound passengers.
- No other restrictions on condition that your health declarations are normal and there are no symptoms of the disease during a "routine health check" while clearing customs.
- Inbound passengers will still need a negative nucleic acid test 48 hours before departure and have to wear protective masks onboard flights.
- Visa for work, business, study and family reunions has been improved. Tourism visa will be adjusted very soon.
- Large international port cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, are likely to be the first to resume outbound travel for tourism.
Dec 21, 2022 Though not officially announced, Chengdu has implemented a pilot 2+3 hotel quarantine policy for inbound travelers.
Dec 13, 2022 Hong Kong lifts all COVID-19 curbs on inbound travelers. No 0+3 self-isolation requirement for inbound travelers. Everyone who tests negative for COVID-19 will be issued with a blue code in their vaccine pass which will give them free access to public places.
Dec 12, 2022 Travel Code will go offline officially on Dec 13. It will no longer be a restriction imposed on domestic travelers.
Dec 7, 2022 The Health Code and centralized quarantine are abandoned, along with new relaxed measures.
Nov 11, 2022 China further shortens mandatory hotel quarantine period for international arrivals (5+3), cancels the circuit breaker mechanism for inbound flights, and requires only one negative PCR test within 48 hours before boarding.
Jun 28, 2022 China further shortens mandatory hotel quarantine period for international arrivals (7+3), which means "7 days centralized (hotel) quarantine + 3 days home quarantine".