GD Reveals More About Quarantine For International Arrivals

2020-March-4 Source:GDToday

Guangdong has taken a series of measures to prevent imported COVID-19 cases and stem the cross-border spread of the virus, according to a statement from the Guangdong Health Commission at the press conference on March 4th.

The announcement indicates Guangdong will continue to adjust its quarantine policy for international arrivals considering the epidemic situation at the global level.

The province will requirea 14-day self-quarantine or medical observation of both Chinese and foreign nationals if their destination is Guangdong and come from countries and regions with grave epidemic situation such as South Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan or with a travel history to the impacted countries and regions in the past 14 days.

As for the passengers who are transferring to other provinces, they will have to follow the measures taken by their destinations. Diplomatic officers will be treated according to related diplomatic regulations if they pass temperature checks.

In addition, Guangdong has tightened entry quarantine and requires all arrivals to fill in a health declaration form based on Chinese laws and regulations. Once any infected patients or suspected cases are detected, they will be transferred to designated hospitals for medical observation and further treatment.

The announcement stresses that Guangdong will implement these measures without any discrimination, taking into full consideration the legitimate concerns of the persons involved and offer them necessary guarantees and assistance.

Guangdong Requires Quarantine On Arrivals From High-risk Regions

2020-March-3 Source:Newsgd.com

Guangdong requires a 14-day self-quarantine or medical observation at designated hotels for all people arriving from or having been to high-risk areas experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak. Passengers who show suspected symptoms will be sent to designated hospitals for further inspection and treatment. The measure pertains to both expats and Chinese citizens alike, according to the Guangdong Health Commission statement at the press conference on March 3rd.

3月3日，广东宣布，来自或去过离境国家疫情严重地区的人员，入境广东后均需接受居家或集中医学观察14天。旅客如有疑似症状，将被送至指定医院进行进一步监测和治疗。入境检疫措施适用于所有入境旅客，针对外国公民和中国公民一视同仁，无差别地执行相应措施，请入境旅客予以理解和配合。

The move aims to control and reduce the number of imported cases as the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the risk assessment of COVID-19 from high to very high at global level. On March 1st, Guangdong reported the first imported case in which the patient flew from London to Hong Kong on Feb 27 and then took a ferry to Shenzhen through Shekou Port on 28th.

To enforce the measure, airline companies will inform the related entry-exit polices in Guangdong when passengers purchase the ticket or check in at the airport, and actively provide help if they need a ticket refund.

During the flight, the cabin crew will ask the passengers if they have a fever or come from a region with a large number of COVID-19 cases, and require all passengers to fill in the health declaration form.

Those who have no masks will get one for free from the airline company or at the airport. The China Immigration Inspection, and the Customs and the Health Commission will enforce strict health inspections and related administration after arrival. Translation services will be provided during the process.

If sent to a designated hotel for medical observation, each passenger will have a single room. The hotel will guarantee catering services respecting the dietary requirements of the individual concerned.

Zhou Zixiao, Deputy Director-General of Guangdong Health Commission, stressed that Guangdong attaches great importance to the passenger demand while guaranteeing their health and safety, trying to achieve understanding and support from related countries and their people. The measures taken by Guangdong do not target specific countries or regions but apply to all arrivals including Chinese citizens and expats.

In addition the Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) has informed the Consulates General of impacted countries about the situation and gained their understanding. The FAO also launched a 24-hour hotline 1258088 to handle related inquiries from expats in both Chinese and English.

From February 27th to March 1st, immigration checkpoints across the province reported 1496 passengers from high-risk countries and regions. All of these passengers were tested negative for the coronavirus.

Health declaration compulsory for passengers

China has adopted strict measures on entry-exit epidemic control including the submission of a declaration of health to screen people for COVID-19 symptoms, it was announced at a news conference held by the State Council on March 1st.

The English version of health declaration WeChat mini-programme was launched on January 31st (search ‘海关旅客指尖服务国际版’ on WeChat). It allows English input and enables foreign passengers to complete the health declaration at borders.

The online declaration procedures are as followed:

Tips:

1. The online declaration is effective for 24 hours;

2. You can renew the declaration form after 2 hours;

3. If you make any mistakes in the declaration, please call customs staff for assistance;

4. You have to update the declaration form based on your actual health condition when you are at the border checkpoint.

Shenzhen suspends ferries from Hong Kong and Macao

Shekou Port temporarily suspended passenger transport services from Hong Kong Airport to Shekou as of February 29th and is currently only maintaining the passenger service between Shekou and Zhuhai.

✔From Shenzhen Shekou Port to Zhuhai Jiuzhou Port：

09:00, 10:30, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 17:30

✔From Zhuhai Jiuzhou Port to Shenzhen Shekou：

09:00, 10:30, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 17:30

Shenzhen (Airport) Fuyong Port

Fuyong port has also suspended the passenger ferries to Hong Kong and Macao but is maintaining the routes between Zhongshan and Zhuhai.

From March 1st-10th:

1、Fuyong Port to Zhongshan Port: 09:30

2、Zhongshan Port to Fuyong Port: 11:30

From March 11th to 20th:

1、Fuyong Port to Zhongshan Port: 09:30

2、Zhongshan Port to Fuyong Port: 08:00

Hotlines Opened by the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province during the COVID-19, foreigners Living and Traveling in Guangdong Province can seek for information and help.

Tel: 1258088 ( Chinese and English ),24 hours

IEC

5 March 2020