28.02.2023

Notice on Requirement of Epidemic Prevention and Control Measures for China-bound Travelers from Switzerland
2023-02-28 16:35

In accordance with the current situation of COVID-19 pandemic and to facilitate people-to-people exchange, starting from 1st March 2023 (local time), Rapid Antigen Test (RAT, including RAT home testing kit) result will be accepted for air passengers flying directly from Switzerland to China instead of PCR test. 

For the convenience of the China-bound Travelers, the Chinese Embassy in Switzerland have updated its Guide on Epidemic Prevention and Control Measures for China-bound Travelers. In order to avoid any travel delays and disruptions, please read and follow the instructions on the guidance carefully.

Guide on Epidemic Prevention and Control Measures for 

China-bound Travelers

1. Tests before departure

All China-bound travelers are required to take nucleic acid test (PCR) or Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) for COVID-19 within 48 hours before boarding, and can only travel to China when your test result is negative or after it turns from positive to negative.

2. Health declaration to China Customs

Travelers are required to declare negative test result to China Customs by filling the Health Declaration Form on the WeChat mini-program of China Customs (scan the QR code below), or at https://htdecl.chinaport.gov.cn, or via the China Customs APP.

3. Airline companies are not required to check the negative PCR or RAT test results.

4. Self-protection on the Aircraft

Travelers are cordially recommended to wear masks throughout the flight and take good personal protection to reduce the risk of infection.

5. Inspection upon Entry

Travelers can go through customs with the health declaration results, and China Customs will conduct random sampling inspections according to a certain proportion. If there are anomalies in your health declaration or you are showing symptoms such as fever, you are required to take a test by China Customs. Those whose results are positive will need to self-quarantine or seek medical treatment as notified by the authority. Those whose results are negative will go through routine quarantine inspection by China Customs in accordance with the Frontier Health and Quarantine Law and other laws and regulations.

6. After-entry Epidemic Prevention and Control

After entry into China, you will have to strictly abide by the epidemic prevention and control requirements of the place where you stay.

Further Information:  http://ch.china-embassy.gov.cn/fra/ls_fw_s_2/fhxqjc/202302/t20230228_11033040.htm   

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

05.02.2023

Inbound Travel Hong Kong

Inbound Travel

Arrangements for Inbound Persons

• Points to Note Before Arrival at Hong Kong
• Inbound Control Measures
• Handling Arrangements for Persons Tested Positive After Arrival at Hong Kong
• Other Points to Note
• FAQs
• More Information

Arrangements for Inbound Persons Infographic

Points to Note Before Arrival at Hong Kong

• Before departing to Hong Kong, please pay attention to the relevant inbound control arrangements.
• They may also voluntarily declare the test result via the Department of Health’s electronic health declaration form (www.chp.gov.hk/hdf/) prior to their arrival at Hong Kong. For arrival via Hong Kong International Airport, the health declaration is valid for 96 hours; for arrival via land control points, the health declaration is valid for 24 hours.

Inbound Control Measures

• All inbound persons must pass temperature checks upon arrival. Those found with symptoms will be referred to the Department of Health for further handling.
• No further restrictions upon arrival.
• The Government recommends all inbound persons to conduct daily RATs using self-arranged rapid antigen test (RAT) kits during the period between the day of arrival (i.e. Day 0) and Day 5 after arrival at Hong Kong.
  💡 May voluntarily report their RAT results and health status via the Electronic COVID-19 Monitoring & Surveillance System (eCMSS)
  The day of a person's arrival at Hong Kong is counted with the day of arrival at Hong Kong as Day 0. For example, for a person who arrives at Hong Kong on 1 December 2022, the “ 5th day/Day 5” would be 6 December 2022.
• For other most updated information, please also refer to daily press releases.

Handling Arrangements for Persons Tested Positive After Arrival at Hong Kong

• For persons tested positive after arrival at Hong Kong, please refer to the webpage on Points to Note for Persons who Tested Positive.

Other Points to Note

The above pre-departure requirements are not applicable to a person who, while in Hong Kong after the person’s arrival, does not pass through immigration control.

If a person coming to Hong Kong fails to comply with a requirement to provide information, or knowingly or recklessly provides any information that is false or misleading in a material particular, he or she is liable on conviction to the maximum penalty of a fine at level 3 ($10,000) and imprisonment for six months.

Centre for Health Protection Hotline : 183 0111 (9 am to 8 pm)

Regarding foreign domestic helpers coming to work in Hong Kong, please refer to this webpage.

Further information: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

30.12.2022

Notice on the Latest Requirements on PCR tests and Healthy Declaration for China-bound Passengers Departing from Switzerland and Liechtenstein

Starting from January 8th, 2023, COVID-19 will be managed as a Class B infectious disease in China, and border control measures will be adjusted accordingly. China-bound travelers departing from Switzerland and Liechtenstein are advised to read the following information on the adjustment to facilitate traveling:

A) Passengers are not required to apply for Health Code from the Chinese Embassy in Switzerland and Consulate General in Zurich.

B) Passengers are required to take nucleic acid test within 48 hours before direct flight departure to China, and declare the negative test result to China Customs by filling the Health Declaration Form either on Wechat mini-program of China Customs (scan the QR code below)，or at https://htdecl.chinaport.gov.cn/htdeclweb/home/pages/healthDeclare/declare.html, or via the China Customs APP. Passengers with positive results should wait until the test result is negative to take flight to China.

C) There will be no nucleic acid test when travelers enter China, and no quarantine for those whose health declaration and entry inspection produce normal results. In case of a positive test result or any symptoms such as fever detected by China Customs, travelers will take an antigen test. Those who test positive in the test will need to self-quarantine.

The above measures will be effective for all passengers arriving in China after 00:00 am (included) on January 8, 2023.

The Chinese Embassy in Switzerland and Consulate General in Zurich reminds China-bound passengers to take primary responsibility for their own health, and use precautionary measures for self-protection, so that can lower the possibility of been infected. The Chinese government will continue to monitor the latest trends of the pandemic, and adjust the disease control practices accordingly to facilitate entry and exit of personnel.

Chinese Embassy in Switzerland 

Chinese Consulate General in Zurich

Further Information: http://ch.china-embassy.gov.cn/fra/ls_fw_s_2/fhxqjc/202212/t20221230_10999119.htm

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Notice on the Adjustment of the PCR Test Requirements for China-Bound Passengers Departing from Switzerland

According to further optimizing the COVID-19 response, optimization and adjustment of remote prevention and control measures is hereby notified as follows:

I. Passengers on direct flights departing from Switzerland to China must complete a nucleic acid test within 48 hours before boarding, and apply for a health code with a negative nucleic acid certificate (direct flights between China and Switzerland are currently suspended).

II. Passengers originating from Switzerland and transiting through a third country, or passengers originating from a third country and transiting through Switzerland to China, can take a nucleic acid test and apply for a health code at the origin or transit location according to their own itinerary. The time limit is required to be within 48 hours before boarding the flight to China. Passengers in transit do not need a second test or a second health code application.

For example: if you are transiting from Switzerland to China via Frankfurt, and the departure time of the Frankfurt-China flight is 19:10 on November 23, you must perform nucleic acid testing and apply for a health code in Switzerland or the transit place after 19:10 on November 21 .

III. Requirements for testing institutions

(1) Passengers can conduct their tests in testing institutions recognized by the Swiss government.

For the passengers' convenience, the Chinese Embassy in Switzerland and the Chinese Consulate General in Zurich provide the following list only for references:

http://ch.china-embassy.gov.cn/ger/ls_fw_s_1/fhxqjc/202207/t20220704_10715223.htm

(2) Requirements of sampling and test reports

The nucleic acid detection method must be RT-PCR. Specimen type need to be Nasopharyngeal (in German: Nasopharyngealabstrich or Nasen-Rachenabstrich). Oropharyngeal swab (OPS) or Saliva test ( in German: Rachenabstrich, Gurgeltest or Speicheltest ) will not be accepted.

The test report must indicate the nucleic acid (NAAT), RT-PCR, date and time of sampling, as well as the name of tested people, passport number, date of birth, signature of doctor or stamp of the testing institution, contact details and the NEGATIVE or POSITIVE result. Passengers shall choose the legal testing institution and make sure the reports meet our requirements, in case of being unable to get the health code because of unqualified institute or test reports.

The Chinese Embassy in Switzerland and the Chinese Consulate General in Zurich will verify the authenticity of the test results with the testing institutions. Passengers shall inform the testing institution that you agree to provide personal information such as test results to the Chinese Embassy and the Chinese Consulate General during or after the test.

IV. Application of non-Chinese Passengers for health codes

Non-Chinese passengers shall log on the website https://hrhk.cs.mfa.gov.cn/H5/ via computers or smart phones, fill in the real and correct personal information, test result etc. and upload the documents as follows:

1.Qualified test reports: please upload the original report issued by the testing institution as well as the COVID Certificate issued by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH);

2.Vaccination certificate (optional);

3.Passport information page;

4.Travel itinerary (or air ticket);

5.Valid Chinese Visa or Chinese residence permit;

In the event of any discrepancy between this notice and our prior ones, this notice shall prevail.

Telephone consultation number of Chinese Embassy in Switzerland: 0041-791309739 (Monday to Friday, 10:00-12:00 & 15:00 - 17:00, except holidays);

E-mail of Chinese Embassy in Switzerland: bern@csm.mfa.gov.cn ;

Telephone consultation number of Chinese Consulate General in Zurich: 0041-442091500 (Moday to Friday, 14:30-17:30, except holidays);

E-mail of Chinese Consulate General in Zurich: zurich@csm.mfa.gov.cn

                                                Chinese Embassy in Switzerland

                                               Chinese Consulate General in Zurich

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

29.09.2020

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The People's Republic of China National Immigration Administration Announcement on Entry by Foreign Nationals Holding Valid Chinese Residence Permits of Three Categories

September 23, 2020

    In view of the current COVID-19 situation and the need of epidemic prevention and control, adjustments are now made to the Announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Immigration Administration on the Temporary Suspension of Entry by Foreign Nationals Holding Valid Chinese Visas or Residence Permits issued on 26 March 2020.

    Effective from 0 a.m., 28 September 2020, foreign nationals holding valid Chinese residence permits for work, personal matters and reunion are allowed to enter China with no need for applying for new visas. If the above three categories of residence permits held by foreign nationals expired after 0 a.m., 28 March 2020, the holders may apply for relevant visas by presenting the expired residence permits and relevant materials to the Chinese embassies or consulates on the condition that the purpose of the holders’ visit to China remains unchanged. The above-mentioned personnel shall strictly abide by the Chinese regulations on epidemic prevention and control.

    Other measures in the Announcement issued on March 26 will continue to be implemented. While ensuring effective epidemic control, the Chinese government will continue resuming people-to-people exchanges in a step-by-step and orderly manner.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China

National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China

Further information: http://ch.china-embassy.org/fra/ls_fw_s_2/tz/t1820007.htm

18.11.2022

1. Entry by foreign nationals holding a visa is suspended.
- This does not apply to:
- foreign nationals with a visa issued after 28 March 2020;
- foreign nationals with a diplomatic, service, courtesy or C visa.

2. Port visas, 24/72/144-hour visa-free transit policy, Hainan 30-day visa-free policy, 15-day visa-free policy specified for foreign cruise-group-tour through Shanghai Port, Guangdong 144-hour visa-free policy specified for foreign tour groups from Hong Kong or Macao SAR, and Guangxi 15-day visa-free policy specified for foreign tour groups of ASEAN countries are suspended.

3. Visa exemption for nationals of Brunei Darussalam, Japan and Singapore with a normal passport is suspended.

4. Passengers must complete an Exit/Entry Health Declaration Form and present a QR code before departure. The form can be obtained at https://htdecl.chinaport.gov.cn/ or from the WeChat app \'Customs Passenger Fingertip Service\'.

5. Nationals of China (People\'s Rep.) must have a green QR code with an \'HS\' mark. The code can be obtained from the WeChat App \'Fang Yi Jian Kang Ma Guo Ji Ban\' by uploading a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at most 48 hours before departure of the last direct flight to China. For more information, please refer to the website of the Chinese embassy in the departure country.
- This does not apply to nationals of China (People\'s Rep.) arriving on a direct flight originating from Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong SAR, China, Macao SAR, China.

6. Passengers must have a green QR code with an \'HDC\' mark. The code can be obtained at https://hrhk.cs.mfa.gov.cn/H5/ by uploading a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at most 48 hours before departure of the last direct flight to China. For more information, please refer to the website of the Chinese embassy in the departure country.
- This does not apply to:
- nationals of China (People\'s Rep.);
- passengers arriving on a direct flight originating from Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong SAR, China, Macao SAR, China.

7. Passengers arriving from Chinese Taipei must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued at most 3 days before departure.

8. Passengers entering Beijing (PEK) from Hong Kong SAR, China must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued at most 7 days before departure.

9. Passengers arriving from Macao SAR, China must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued at most 7 days before departure.

10. Passengers are subject to medical screening and quarantine for up to 8 days at the first point of entry.

Source: https://www.unwto.org/tourism-data/unwto-iata-destination-tracker-easy-travel

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

07.05.2022

Source: https://www.unwto.org/tourism-data/unwto-iata-destination-tracker-easy-travel

07.04.2020

Fast clearance of anti-epidemic supplies.  For imported supplies, all local Customs are required to open exclusive counters and green lanes 24/7 to ensure fast clearance; imported pharmaceuticals, disinfection supplies, protective suits, treatment equipment and other supplies will be released without delay.  For exported supplies, green lanes are provided 24/7 to minimize the clearance time. Source: China Customs (as reported in WCO website); http://english.customs.gov.cn/newsroom/news

China Customs has put in place a Command Center and a Working Group to coordinate border efforts and provide solutions to COVID-related issues. GACC has rolled out policies and measures on faster clearance, minimum-interference customs control, certification services, acceleration of market access process for imported agricultural products, among others. Source: China Customs (as reported in WCO website); http://english.customs.gov.cn/newsroom/news

To guarantee unimpeded freight transport, measures to control and prevent COVID-19
must be carried out for drivers of freight vehicles. Foreign freight vehicles entering the
border should unload at the port, unless the goods cannot be moved midway." Source: The State Council of the People’s Republic of China http://english.www.gov.cn/premier/news/202003/26/content_WS5e7caf41c6d0c201c2cbf8a2.html

For road BCPs. Those closed passenger and cargo transport BCPs and passenger transport BCPs will continue to be closed for transport operations until further notice; the opening of international passenger transport at seasonal BCPs will be postponed." Source: Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China  - China Transportation News

Foreign trucks will unload cargo at BCPs, and foreign truck drivers will return on the same day of arrival in China. Those foreign truck drivers who have difficulty returning
will stay in accommodation designated by local disease prevention and control agencies." Source: Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China - China Transportation News

26.03.2020

In response to the outbreak of COVID-19, the General Administration of Customs of
China (GACC) has set up ad hoc working structure and mechanisms, taken sciencebased border health and quarantine measures to safeguard public health security,
and adjusted clearance formalities to promote trade security and facilitation.

I. Ad hoc working structure and mechanisms of GACC against COVID-19
Following the outbreak of the disease, China Customs has put in place a Command
Center, with GACC Minister as Commander-in-Chief and all Vice Ministers as Deputy
Commanders-in-Chief, and a Working Group. 

Led by the Vice Minister in charge of border health and quarantine, the Working
Group guides Customs offices across the country to fight the epidemic in line with
policies made by the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism led by the State
Council. The specific functions of the Working Group include launching anti-epidemic
plans and measures, coordinating border efforts made by all relevant government
agencies, supervising the implementation of anti-epidemic measures, and providing
solutions to emergency issues.

Under the Working Group are 9 Sub-groupsled by one department and participated
by other relevant departments of GACC.

II. Measures to contain COVID-19

1. Around-the-clock tracking and analysis of the epidemic situations. China
Customs has been following closely the spread of the disease both at home and
abroad, and collecting information through multiple sources. As the disease evolves,
experts in a wide range of fields and from various departments are gathered to
assess risks and provide guidance for targeted measures at border crossings across
the country.

2. Compulsory health declaration. All cross-border passengers are required to
declare to the Customs their health conditions, especially pneumonia-like symptoms
and travel and exposure history in the past 14 days. The health declaration form
(which can be found in the annex) has been translated into over 10 languages. Edeclaration is also available on mobile phone—passengers can declare through an
applet developed by China Customs, and scan the generated QR code when passing
Customs.

3. Strict entry/exit health and quarantine measures. All cross-border
passengers are subject to a three-step screening approach at border crossings. 1)
Passengers are required to declare their health conditions, have their temperature
taken, and accept initial health assessment. 2) Those who are found in step one with
COVID-19 related symptoms, or from most affected countries or regions, or have
been exposed to confirmed cases, will be further screened through epidemiological
investigation, medical examination and laboratory testing. 3) Those who are identified
in step two as confirmed cases, suspected cases or close contacts, or showing
relevant symptoms, will be transferred or quarantined for further treatment or medical
observation, in line with the requirements of the Joint Prevention and Control
Mechanism. The three-step approach enables early detection, early report, early
quarantine and early treatment. Other major infectious diseases such as Ebola and
Lassa fever have also been carefully watched among incoming passengers to
prevent other outbreaks.

4. Collaboration among multiple agencies. China Customs works closely with
other border agencies to share information and coordinate the procedures for screening,
quarantine and referral of passengers. A comprehensive prevention and control network
was put in place to contain the spread of the disease.

5. Application of big data for transmission prevention. Since it is difficult to
identify the passengers travelling on flights that have departed from most affected
countries (regions) and transited in a third country (region) before arriving in China,
China Customs has been using big data to conduct correlation analysis on global
flight routes and schedules, thus taking more precise border quarantine measures.

6. International Cooperation. China Customs has been strengthening cooperation
on border health and quarantine with its counterparts in other countries and regions.
Contact points were designated for communication and coordination of anti-epidemic
efforts. Exchanges have been made on border health and quarantine policies, laws and
regulations, and on experience and practices of prevention and control of COVID-19.

III. Trade facilitation measures

1.Facilitated clearance for anti-epidemic supplies. A Sub-group has been set
up under the ad hoc Working Group to ensure fast clearance of anti-epidemic
supplies.

For imported supplies, all local Customs are required to open exclusive
counters and green lanes 24/7 to ensure fast clearance; imported pharmaceuticals,
disinfection supplies, protective suits, treatment equipment and other supplies will be
released without delay. For exported supplies, green lanes are provided 24/7 to
minimize the clearance time.

2. Supporting foreign trade and economic development. To promote social
and economic development amid current anti-epidemic efforts, the GACC has rolled
out policies and measures on faster clearance, minimum-interference customs
control, certification services, acceleration of market access process for imported
agricultural products, among other, to help businesses resume operations and boost
foreign trade growth.

3. Information availability. China Customs has made information available on news
media, GACC official website, Customs official Weibo and WeChat accounts and journals.

Link to GACC official website:
http://english.customs.gov.cn.

Link to GACC news:
http://english.customs.gov.cn/newsroom/news.

Link to GACC Announcements:
http://english.customs.gov.cn/Legislation/Announcement.

IV. Suggestions

We suggest that WCO play a more vigorous role in enhancing coordination and
cooperation among Member Customs in the following respects: 1) encourage
Members to share information of cross-border passengers who have been identified
as confirmed cases, suspected cases or close contacts of COVID-19, and conduct
health screening on outbound passengers, so as to jointly contain the spread of
COVID-19 at borders; 2) encourage Members to facilitate and expedite the clearance
of imported, exported and transit anti-epidemic supplies; 3) strengthen international
customs cooperation, and refrain from taking excessive measures against the
movement of cross-border goods and transport conveyances, to ensure the security
of global supply chain and trading network, and promote the development of
international trade at the special time.