China eases COVID-19 restrictions for international travelers: reports

China has reportedly made long-awaited changes to its COVID-19 policies for inbound travelers, according to media reports based on a statement from the country’s National Health Commission on Friday. Quarantine time for visitors has been cut to five days from seven, with three days of home isolation, Bloomberg and the South China Morning Post reported. And those entering the country need only proof of one negative PCR test made 48 before flying. The government cut quarantine for close contacts to those with COVID-19 by the same amount as international travelers. And airlines will no longer be penalized for bringing infected persons into the country. China leaders had promised Thursday to ease the zero-COVID strategy that has caused economic upheaval. However, crackdowns were seen elsewhere, with soaring cases causing fresh restrictions in Beijing, which closed parks, switched schools to online and closed some shops, and 5 million under lockdown in the southern manufacturing hub Guangzhou and the western megacity Chongqing, AP reported.