Brady Collins
Quarantine requirements vary depending on the region of China and the traveller's vaccination status. In the past, China has imposed strict Covid-19 quarantine measures, including mandatory health checks and PCR tests for all travellers. China has also battled a mosquito-borne virus outbreak with Covid-era methods, urging Americans to take extra precautions when visiting Guangdong Province. As of December 2022, China and Hong Kong plan to start quarantine-free travel, and China has expressed intentions to welcome more international travellers in the future. However, Hong Kong has specific quarantine requirements for unvaccinated individuals and those who have visited places outside mainland China, Macao, or Taiwan within the previous 14 days.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Quarantine required | Yes |
| Length of quarantine | 14 days |
| Requirements to avoid quarantine | None specified |
| Vaccination requirements | Fully vaccinated with a Chinese-made vaccine |
| Other requirements | Negative PCR test, health declaration form, social distancing, protective clothing, KN95 masks, goggles, gloves |
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What You'll Learn
Quarantine requirements for Hong Kong
Hong Kong has some of the strictest border rules in the world, and the city has achieved "zero local infections" for 56 days in a row. The city's quarantine requirements are regularly updated and reclassified to better prevent the importation of COVID-19 cases.
Hong Kong has specific requirements for vaccination, testing, and quarantine procedures for travellers. All travellers must present a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding flights to Hong Kong. For travellers from the Philippines, this means a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours before departure or a negative antigen result taken within 4 to 6 hours before departure. Additionally, travellers from the Philippines must confirm a room reservation for seven nights at a Designated Quarantine Hotel (DQH) and complete an online health declaration form and quarantine information declaration. It is important to note that the generated QR code is only valid for 48 hours for arrival at Hong Kong International Airport.
Hong Kong has implemented a risk-based categorisation system for places, dividing them into three groups: high-risk, medium-risk, and low-risk. For travellers from high-risk areas, only vaccinated Hong Kong residents are permitted to return to the city. From medium-risk areas, both Hong Kong residents and vaccinated non-residents can board flights to Hong Kong. All workers who come into contact with arrivals, such as airport workers, quarantine hotel staff, and transportation workers, are required to be vaccinated.
For travellers requiring a longer stay in Hong Kong, an Extension of Stay application can be submitted to the Immigration Department of Hong Kong. The application process involves completing and signing Form ID 91, providing evidence to support the extended stay, and submitting the necessary travel documents. Applicants will receive a link for payment, and after payment, they may download their e-Visa. It is important to note that applicants must be physically present in Hong Kong during payment and e-Visa collection.
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China's quarantine mandate for mosquito-borne viruses
Since July 2025, the Guangdong province of China has reported over 10,000 cases of Chikungunya fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease. This unprecedented outbreak has prompted Chinese authorities to adopt a strict zero-Covid-style "detect and eliminate" approach to curb the spread of the virus. While there have been no reported cases of severe disease or death, Chinese officials have imposed a quarantine mandate for suspected and infected patients.
The quarantine mandate requires suspected and infected patients to report their cases promptly and comply with quarantine instructions. Infected individuals are required to stay in the hospital for seven days or until they test negative, whichever comes first. This is similar to the Covid-19 pandemic, where patients were quarantined in hospitals and their residences were disinfected.
To further combat the spread of the mosquito-borne virus, China has deployed insecticide-spraying drones, 'cannibal' mosquitoes, and killer fish to eliminate any insects that could be carrying the virus. They have also released "elephant mosquitoes" capable of consuming the smaller Aedes species, which spreads Chikungunya. In addition, health officials are instructing anyone experiencing fever, joint discomfort, or skin rashes to seek immediate hospital testing.
The outbreak has triggered alarm in the US and other countries, with health officials assessing the situation and warning citizens to take protective measures when travelling to affected areas. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has elevated its travel guidance to Level 2 for Guangdong Province, advising American visitors to exercise heightened caution. The CDC recommends avoiding mosquito bites and getting vaccinated if necessary before travelling to areas where Chikungunya occurs.
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China's recommended vaccines for travellers
The CDC and WHO recommend that travellers to China get vaccinated for the following:
- Typhoid
- Hepatitis A
- Polio
- Japanese encephalitis
- Chikungunya
- Tickborne encephalitis
- Rabies
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza
- COVID-19
- Pneumonia
- Meningitis
- Chickenpox
- Shingles
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis)
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
The Chinese Embassy strongly recommends that all travellers to China complete the Covid-19 vaccination and receive booster shots. However, it is important to note that vaccination requirements for entering China may vary depending on the traveller's country of origin and the local health regulations. It is always advisable to consult official government sources and health organisations for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding recommended or required vaccinations for travel to China.
Additionally, China has specific requirements for preventing the spread of certain diseases, especially those transmitted by insects such as mosquitoes and ticks. For example, there have been recent outbreaks of chikungunya fever in Guangdong Province, prompting the Chinese government to adopt aggressive containment strategies. Travellers should be aware of such situations and take appropriate precautions, such as insect avoidance measures, in addition to getting the recommended vaccinations.
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Quarantine requirements for entering China
Quarantine requirements and entry restrictions when entering China have varied over time and depend on the traveller's recent travel history and vaccination status. Here is a summary of the requirements as of January 2023:
Mainland China
The Chinese Embassy strongly recommends that all travellers to China complete a Covid-19 vaccination course and receive booster shots. Those who have not received all doses of inactivated vaccines will be treated as unvaccinated. All passengers, except members of the Sri Lankan Embassy or Consulates in China, should complete a 14-day closed-loop quarantine and self-health monitoring before boarding their flight to China. This means staying at home or in a hotel and avoiding going outside for shopping, dining, meeting friends, or other activities. During this time, travellers must take their body temperature and fill in the Personal Health Monitoring Form every day. After receiving a negative PCR test result, travellers can begin their 14-day quarantine.
When travelling to the airport, travellers must wear protective clothing, KN95 masks, goggles, and gloves, and travel in a closed-loop special car. At the airport, travellers should maintain social distance, avoid shopping and eating, and disinfect their luggage. On the flight to China, travellers are required to continue wearing protective clothing, goggles, KN95 masks, and gloves, and should avoid eating, drinking, and using the toilet where possible.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong has specific quarantine requirements that differ from mainland China. Travellers who have visited places outside mainland China, Macao, or Taiwan within the past 14 days and are not fully vaccinated will be denied entry to Hong Kong. Unvaccinated travellers with a certified medical exemption may still enter but must undergo a 14-day quarantine in a designated hotel. All travellers entering Hong Kong, including residents, must undergo a mandatory medical test for coronavirus on arrival. Additionally, travellers arriving from outside mainland China, Macao, and Taiwan must provide confirmation of a hotel room reservation in a designated quarantine hotel for no less than 21 days, starting on the day of their arrival.
Guangdong Province
Due to outbreaks of the mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Guangdong Province, urging Americans to take extra precautions when visiting the region. Chinese officials have imposed Covid-like quarantines, with infected patients isolated in hospital wards covered with mosquito nets until they test negative.
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Quarantine conditions and penalties
Quarantine conditions in China vary depending on the region and the purpose of the traveller's visit. Here are some examples of quarantine conditions and the penalties for non-compliance:
COVID-19 Quarantine for Travellers to China
The Chinese Embassy recommends that all travellers to China complete the COVID-19 vaccination and receive booster shots. Before boarding their flight to China, passengers are required to stay at home or in a hotel for at least 14 days of closed-loop quarantine and self-health monitoring. During this period, they must take their body temperature and fill in a Personal Health Monitoring Form daily. They should also avoid going outside for shopping, dining, meeting friends, or other activities. If any symptoms develop, they must report to the embassy immediately.
Quarantine During COVID-19 Outbreaks in China
During COVID-19 outbreaks in China, such as the 2022 Shanghai outbreak, strict lockdown measures and travel restrictions were implemented. Negative PCR testing within 48 hours of travel became mandatory, and travel from "control areas" to "prevention areas" required a 14-day mandatory quarantine at the traveller's residence. In some cases, temporary quarantine centres were set up to accommodate those who tested positive.
Penalties for Breaking Quarantine Rules
While I could not find specific penalties for breaking quarantine rules in mainland China, there are examples of penalties imposed in Taiwan, which is a part of the People's Republic of China. In Taiwan, individuals who break quarantine rules, even for a few seconds, have been fined up to Tw$1 million (US$33,000). Those who leave their quarantine locations and go to crowded places with poor ventilation may be sent to a centralised epidemic prevention facility and fined.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, China requires anyone entering the country to undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine. The Chinese Embassy strongly recommends that all travellers complete the Covid-19 vaccination and receive booster shots.
You will need to stay at home or in a hotel for at least 14 days of closed-loop quarantine and self-health monitoring before boarding your flight to China. During this time, you must take your body temperature and fill in the Personal Health Monitoring Form every day. You should also avoid going outside for shopping, dining, meeting friends, or other activities.
To enter China, you will need a valid visa and passport. You will also need to obtain a Green Health Declaration Code with the "HDC" mark to qualify for boarding the flight. This code is currently only issued to passengers who work and live in Sri Lanka and will take a direct flight to China.
