China requires inbound travelers from PH to present COVID-19 negative result certificate

MANILA, Philippines — Inbound travelers to China from the Philippines are now required to take a nucleic acid test for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and present a negative result before they can be allowed to board the aircraft starting August 20.

In an advisory issued by the Chinese Embassy in Manila on Tuesday, it said travelers with inbound flights to China from the Philippines should first secure a nucleic acid test certificate with a negative result within five days prior to their flight.

This requirement, the embassy noted, is in accordance with the earlier announcement of Chinese authorities requiring travelers to mainland China to undergo a nucleic acid COVID-19 test.

The embassy said passengers need to fill in and sign a  health declaration form.

Travelers should then send a scanned copy of the form to the Chinse Embassy or consulates via email together with their nucleic acid test certificate and a photocopy of the front page of their passports.

The embassy or the consulates will then send back to the passenger a certified health declaration form with a validity period of five days from the issuance date of the nucleic acid test certificates from designated institutions via email.

“Please be noted that it shall take at least 1 working day for the verification by the Chinese Embassy or the Consulates,” the embassy added.

Passengers will be required to present the print-out of the certified health declaration form within the validity period during check-in or before boarding their flight and “cooperate with airlines for further checking.”

“Please be noted that passengers with expired Health Declaration Forms won’t be allowed to board and are required to conduct new Nucleic Acid Tests as well as applying for new Health Declaration Forms,” it added.

It also warned that those who will provide false certificates or information will “bear corresponding legal liabilities.”

The embassy, meanwhile, stressed that a certified health declaration form is not equivalent to a Chinese visa.

“For visa service, please refer to the Announcement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China and National Immigration Administration on the Temporary Suspension of Entry by Foreign Nationals Holding Valid Chinese Visas or Residence Permits on March 26, 2020,” the embassy said.

/MUF