'Finally we are reconnected with world': Travelers rejoice as China reopens borders in final farewell to zero-Covid
China on Sunday opened its borders for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and welcomed international travellers.
For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, China on Sunday (January 8, 2023) opened its borders and welcomed international travelers and returning residents without the need for them to go under quarantine. The first flights under China's new "no quarantine" rules for international travelers landed at the airports in Guangzhou and Shenzhen in southern Guangdong province on Sunday morning. Around 387 passengers were aboard two flights from Toronto and Singapore on the day the country ended its strict zero-Covid policy.
China finally opens its borders
China ends its strict zero-Covid policy
The first flights under China's new "no quarantine" rules for international travellers landed at the airports in Guangzhou and Shenzhen in southern Guangdong province. Officials said that 387 passengers were aboard two flights from Toronto and Singapore on the day the country ended its strict zero-Covid policy.
'I've been looking forward to reopening for a long time', says resident
China opens borders a day after start of 'chun yun', 40-day period of Lunar New Year travel
Two billion trips expected this Lunar New Year travel season
Scrapping of zero-Covid policy comes amid spurt in coronavirus infections
The scrapping of the travel rules, however, comes at a time when China is battling a sudden spurt in coronavirus infections fuelled by the Omicron variants after the government relaxed its zero-Covid policy last month in the wake of widespread anti-Xi Jinping protests.
The country of 1.4 billion people is currently also witnessing overwhelmed hospitals and is bracing for a further spread into less developed areas with the start of the Lunar New Year travel rush.