Quarantine-free travel to China could happen within 6 months, but risk of return to zero-Covid remains

IT COULD take up to six months for China to allow international arrivals without quarantine, despite the country’s sudden relaxation of zero-Covid curbs earlier this month, say Singapore businesses and analysts. They also flagged the risk of a return to strict measures if infections surge.

UOB’s research head Suan Teck Kin said: “At this juncture, it’s more realistic to keep expectations low for border reopening and cross-border business travel to China to resume quickly.”

On Dec 7, Beijing’s National Health Commission announced a nationwide easing of restrictions that included cutting back on mass testing, allowing home quarantine for some, and ending large-scale lockdowns. This was a significant reversal of a zero-Covid policy that has battered the country’s economy for the last three years.