Pandemic travel: tests for Covid-19, which ones China recognises, and are anal swabs necessary?

Potential travellers to the mainland must apply for a health code but the requirements depend on where you’re coming from

After arriving in China, expect multiple swabs for RT-PCR tests at the airport, during quarantine and in any additional health monitoring period

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Travellers to China who previously tested positive for Covid-19, or have antibodies not deemed to be from vaccinations, must show two negative RT-PCR test results taken more than 24 hours apart, as well as a lung CT or X-ray report taken before the second test. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 9:00am, 29 Nov 2021

In this series, we answer frequently asked questions about China’s strict zero-tolerance approach to Covid-19 including current entry restrictions, the length of quarantine and which tests travellers have to take. Have a question you want us to tackle? Drop us an email at [email protected].

As the Covid-19 pandemic rolls on to its third year, regular tests for the coronavirus are part of many people’s daily lives.

People travelling to China, which has a strict zero-tolerance approach to the virus, must be tested before boarding a flight, on arrival and multiple times during quarantine.

With various tests now being used by authorities for different purposes, you may be forgiven for not being able to distinguish between them. Here’s a guide.

What types of Covid-19 tests are there?

There are two main types of tests: diagnostic tests to detect whether you are currently infected by the virus, and antibody tests to detect whether your immune system has produced antibodies from either a previous infection or vaccination for the virus.

Diagnostic tests usually take samples from nose or throat swabs. These are the most common:

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Coronavirus FAQs: China’s pandemic control measures

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