China's Regulations on the Quarantine Period of Foreigners

Recently, the National Health Commission of the People`s Republic of China released relevant information on the interpretation of the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Prevention and Control Plan (The Ninth Edition) by the National Administration of Disease Prevention and Control. The main spirit contained therein is to fully implement the overall strategy of [preventing the COVID from re-entering the country to cause a new epidemic," conscientiously safeguard people`s safety and health, and maximize the coordination of outbreak prevention and control and the development of economy and society. The measures included optimizing and adjusting the period and manner of quarantine management for people at risk, unifying the criteria for delineating control areas with different levels of risk (medium or high), improving the requirements for outbreak surveillance and optimizing the regional nucleic acid testing strategy.

The duration and manner of Quarantine and control of Overseas Arrivals

1. Half of the quarantine control time has been shortened

Now, the quarantine time for each immigration passenger is the [7+3 model", i.e., 7 days for quarantine in dedicated facilities for medical observation + 3 days of self-quarantine at home for health monitoring.

In the past, it was the [14+7 model", i.e., 14 days of quarantined in dedicated facilities for medical observation+ 7 days of self-quarantine at home for health monitoring.

2. Increased the number of nucleic acid tests

Now, 6 nucleic acid tests are required during the 10 days ([7+3 model") of quarantine, respectively on the 1st day, 2nd day, 3rd day, 5th day, 7th day quarantine medical observation, and 3rd day of health monitoring at home.

Previously, the nucleic acid test was 5 times totally, conducted on days 1st, 4th day, 7th day and 14th day, of quarantine in dedicated facilities for medical observation, and double testing before leaving the quarantine area.

3. Simplifies the testing process

Now only oropharyngeal swabs are collected.

Previously, nasopharyngeal swabs were collected and double-collected for double testing before the end of quarantine in dedicated facilities for medical observation (nasopharyngeal swabs and oropharyngeal swabs were collected in the same sampling tube, which collected two tubes).