China has announced a significant relaxation in pre-departure testing requirements this month, with travellers originating in 16 countries, including Singapore, no longer obliged to have an expensive clinic PCR test within 48 hours of departure.
Instead, only a self-administered or clinic rapid antigen (ART) test is required, including the use home test kits with no supervision or results certificate required.
Airlines will also cease checking negative test results prior to boarding on China-bound flights from these countries, with self-declaration on arrival now the norm.
Unfortunately China is still not issuing new tourism visas or reinstating its visa exemption for Singapore citizens at this stage, making leisure trips unfeasible, however this relaxation will benefit those who can currently travel to China without restriction, include its own citizens, and those who hold a valid residence permit or are studying there.
It also paves the way for a relatively simple arrival process for Singapore residents, once tourism is reinstat