FAQs on Prevention and Control of Imported COVID-19 Cases

1. Should foreigners entering China be quarantined?

Spokesperson: Local authorities have adopted epidemic prevention and control measures such as taking travelers’ body temperature and implementing home or collective quarantine on travelers coming from epidemic outbreak countries and regions in accordance with local situations and needs. Such measures are compliant with Chinese laws and regulations, essential to epidemic prevention and control, and effective for preventing cross-border spread of COVID-19. Therefore, they are beneficial to China and other countries alike.

一、外国人入境中国，要隔离观察吗？

国务院联防联控机制发布会：各地根据疫情防控需要，对来自于疫情严重国家和地区人员入境后采取有关检验检疫和防控举措，如测量体温，实施居家或集中观察等。这些做法符合中国法律法规，既是疫情防控工作需要，也可以有效阻止疫情跨国传播，对中外各方的疫情防控来说都是有利的。

2. Are the measures adopted for foreigners the same as those for Chinese nationals? 

Spokesperson: The measures adopted for foreigners and Chinese nationals are identical. Local authorities will take full consideration of the reasonable concerns of foreign travelers and respect their religions and customs. After entering China, the communities the foreigners live in will provide necessary support and assistance to help them solve difficulties in their daily life. 

二、对外国人的防控措施，和本国公民一样吗？

国务院联防联控机制发布会：对外国公民和本国公民一视同仁，无差别地执行相应措施，会充分照顾当事人合理关切，尊重他们的宗教和风俗习惯。入境后，所在社区将提供必要保障和协助，帮助解决好生活方面实际困难。

3. How should travelers entering and exiting China declare health status? 

Spokesperson: All travelers entering and exiting China shall declare their health status. Customs staff at border checkpoints shall review the declared information to closely verify whether a traveler shows symptoms of COVID-19, has been to epidemic outbreak countries or regions over the past 14 days, or has been in contact with confirmed or suspected cases. The health declaration card is translated into more than 10 languages and a mini-program has been developed so that travelers can declare on their mobile phones before arriving at checkpoints. They can pass the checkpoints by scanning the QR code generated on their phones.

三、出入境人员，怎么进行健康申报？

国务院联防联控机制发布会：所有出入境人员都必须进行健康申报，海关在口岸对申报内容进行审核，严格排查有没有症状，有没有在14天内到过疫情发生的地区或者是国家，以及有没有接触史。申明卡翻译成了十种以上的语言，并且专门开发小程序，出境人员在到达口岸之前就可以使用手机来进行填报，生成二维码，在口岸扫码验放，实现“网上报，码上通”。

4. How can imported cases be prevented at border checkpoints?

Spokesperson: A “three checks, three investigations and one transfer” policy will be applied to all travelers entering and exiting China. “Three checks” refer to checking declared health information and body temperature of all travelers, and thoroughly carrying out medical inspections. “Three investigations” include epidemiological, medical and lab testing investigations, which will be applied to travelers showing COVID-19 symptoms, coming from epidemic outbreak countries or regions, or having been in contact with suspected or confirmed cases. “One transfer” refers to transferring confirmed and suspected cases identified in the “three investigations”, travelers with COVID-19 symptoms, and those in close contact with confirmed or suspected cases for quarantine and medical observation.

四、出入境环节，怎么防止疫情从境外输入？

国务院联防联控机制发布会：对所有出入境人员严格实施“三查、三排、一转运”。

“三查”是百分之百查验健康申报，全面开展体温监测筛查，严密实施医学巡查。发现有症状的，或来自疫情较严重国家或地区，或接触过确诊、疑似病例的，严格实施“三排”：流行病学排查、医学排查及实验室检测排查。

“一转运”是对“三排”中判定的确诊、疑似病例，有症状人员、密切接触者落实转运、隔离、留观等措施。

5. What measures will be adopted for international flights?

Spokesperson: Measures will be taken to improve ventilation and disinfection in aircraft and airports, in addition to body temperature checks for travelers arriving at and departing from airports. Meanwhile, personal protection and health management of frontline staff, including crew members and security staffers, will be intensified. Epidemic prevention and control instructions for airlines and airports will be released in a timely manner. As the epidemic is spreading in certain countries and regions, the Civil Aviation Administration of China has formulated graded prevention and control measures for different countries and regions. Risks of flight operations are assessed and differentiated management approaches are adopted, with various indices taken into account such as epidemic situations and flight operation features in different countries and regions, in order to achieve targeted epidemic prevention and control and implement accurate strategies. 

五、国际航班会有什么防控措施？

国务院联防联控机制发布会：加强航空器、机场通风消毒，做好出入港旅客体温检测，加强包括机组、安检人员在内的一线人员个人防护和健康管理，及时发布针对航空公司和机场的防控指南等。针对当前部分国家和地区疫情蔓延的情况，民航局制定了分区分级差异化疫情防控措施，综合所在国或所在地的疫情形势、航班运行特点等多个指标，区分航班运行风险，实施差异化管理，做到精准防控、精细施策。

6. Will international travel be restrained as COVID-19 is spreading in multiple countries?

Spokesperson: We will closely follow the epidemic outbreak overseas and strengthen communication, coordination and negotiation with relevant countries as the situation evolves to reduce unnecessary international travels. We hope to work with other countries in people-to-people exchanges, and minimize the epidemic’s impacts on the interactions between Chinese and foreign citizens as well as exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

六、疫情多国蔓延，跨国旅行会限制吗？

国务院联防联控机制发布会：会密切关注海外疫情的发展，根据情况和形势变化，加强与有关国家的沟通协调协商，减少一些不必要的跨国旅行活动。希望跟外方一起努力，做好人员交流工作，保障中外人员交往和各领域交流合作不受到大的影响。

7. What should foreigners in China do if their visas expire during the epidemic prevention and control period?

Spokesperson: For foreigners in China, if the permitted duration of stay expires during the epidemic prevention and control period, it will be automatically extended for two months. During the two months, foreigners do not need to apply for an extension and are allowed to stay in China legally or leave the country normally.

七、疫情防控期间，在华外国人签证到期了，怎么办？

国务院联防联控机制发布会：在疫情防控期间，在华的外国人如果停居留期限已经到了，可以自动顺延两个月。在顺延的期限内，无需再去办理延期手续，仍可以在华合法的停居留或者正常出境。

8. How can foreigners apply for a visa if they are traveling to China to fight the epidemic?

Spokesperson: Foreigners who visit China for exchanges and cooperation in the fight against the epidemic, or for important businesses and trade activities and scientific research, but fail to acquire a visa before traveling to China due to urgent matters, can apply for a port visa at the port of entry.

八、外国人来华参与防疫，签证怎么办？

国务院联防联控机制发布会：对来华参加防疫抗疫交流合作或者从事重要商贸和科研活动的外国人，因急事来华来不及事先办妥签证的，可以到入境口岸申办口岸签证。

Foreign Affairs Office of Shenzhen Municipal People's Government

March 4, 2020

深圳市人民政府外事办公室

2020年3月4日