China Dropping PCR Coronavirus Testing Requirements for International Travelers

China continues to ease coronavirus-related travel protocols as the country announced inbound international tourists will no longer need to provide a negative PCR test, starting on April 29.

According to The Associated Press, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning revealed on Tuesday that international travelers would still need to present a negative antigen test result taken within 48 hours of boarding their flight.

As part of an effort to improve tourism, China resumed issuing all types of visas last month, but kept the existing PCR testing requirements in place, despite the high-cost acting as a deterrent for prospective visitors.

“To further facilitate cross-border travel, China is taking new steps to refine pre-departure testing requirements guided by the principle of ensuring safe and orderly travel and keeping the measures science based and well targeted,” Mao told The AP.

In addition, Mao said airlines would “no longer be required to check test results before departure.”

China’s National Health Commission announced on Wednesday that COVID-19 cases in early April dropped to the lowest levels since December despite starting the process of rolling back coronavirus-related safety measures at the end of 2022.

In March, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dropped COVID testing for travelers arriving from China. The U.S. government plans to monitor coronavirus cases in China to adjust the protocols as necessary.