Over the past few months, AmCham China has been receiving increasing inquiries from members on travel and quarantine issues. To help keep our members up-to-date and informed, on March 23 we hosted our 6th Standing Call on Travel and Quarantine Issues. The webinar provided updates on the latest quarantine policies and travel requirements for passengers traveling between the US and China. Click here to visit the AmCham China Travel and Vaccine Portal.
Executive Director of US-China Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP) Geoffrey Jackson led the webinar and was joined by guest speakers: Katie Warden, Vice Consul, American Citizen Services of the US Embassy Beijing; Jake Warden, Deputy Nonimmigrant Visa Chief of the US Embassy Beijing; Adh T. Stevens, Second Secretary and Consul at Economic Affairs Section of the US Embassy Beijing; Judy Liu, General Manager, Corporate & Partner Sales-China at Delta Air Lines; Nancy Lyu, Regional Sales Manager China at United Airlines; and Helen Zhang, Director of Pharmacy at United Family Healthcare.
Helen Zhang opened the webinar by updating guests on the vaccine offerings and COVID-19 situation in China. In addition to giving an overview of the currently available vaccines, she also covered the effectiveness of vaccines against the Omicron variant, the different levels of protection offered by one, two, and three doses of the vaccine respectively, and more (see slides for more information).
Representatives from the US Embassy also provided an update and reminded attendees that the US Embassy in China is fully reopened for visa issuance to Chinese citizens.
Judy Liu from Delta outlined the current US-China pre-flight testing procedures as well as the quarantine and arrival process. Although there had been recent hopes for more relaxed quarantine requirements, Liu noted that the recent Omicron outbreak in mainland China has seen the reinforcement of the 14 + 7 quarantine policy. Liu provided information on Delta’s updated flight routes including Seattle-Shanghai and Detroit-Shanghai. While eastbound flights are currently easier to book, she said they could expect demand to pick-up as the 2022 school year approaches.
For her portion, Nancy Lyu explained how Chinese and expatriates returning to China can apply for the green health code (see slides for more information). Lyu also shared United’s latest flight information, and while she was hopeful about adding more routes in the months ahead, she still advised travelers to book on the confirmed route of San Francisco-Shanghai (flights UA 857 and UA858).
Yiming Li reiterated the offerings of the US-China Fast-Track Travel Channel Program (the Program) which can aid with the issuance of PU letters, visas, and green health codes. Click here to learn more about the Program.
Geoffrey Jackson concluded the virtual event by assuring members that AmCham China will continue to advocate for and facilitate travel until the point that pre-pandemic travel can resume. Click here to download the PPT presentation from the webinar.