In order to continuously ensure the health and safety for people travelling to China,  and scientific, rigorous and accurate prevention and control of COVID-19,  in accordance with the latest prevention and control regulations in China and taking into current situation in New Zealand,  starting from midnight on 22 January 2022, all passengers departing from New Zealand to China, including Chinese nationals and other nationals who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with inactivated vaccines, are required to provide two negative COVID-19 PCR test reports instead of one negative COVID-19 PCR test report and one negative IgM antibody test report. Specific requirements are as follows:  

1. Applicants who take flights departing from New Zealand after midnight on January 22, 2022 and have been vaccinated with inactivated vaccines are required to undergo nucleic acid tests at two different testing institutions two days before boarding (If the testing institutions are in different cities, the reports shall be submitted to the relevant diplomatic and consular missions with the consular jurisdiction based on location where the first test has been conducted). If the local testing institution does not have the conditions, it may also complete two nucleic acid tests within three days before boarding, provided that the interval between the two tests shall be more than 24 hours, and the second sample shall be taken within 48 hours before boarding.  For those who take the dual nucleic acid tests, there is no need for serum IgM antibody test. 

2. The new requirements do not apply to those who have received complete non-inactivated COVID-19 vaccines, have not been vaccinated or not been fully vaccinated. People in this category are required to conduct  nucleic acid and serum IgM antibody tests before the departure.  

3. Being fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines means that people have received all required doses within the recommended gap between doses, and the last dose jabbed at least 14 days. The most common inactivated vaccines are Sinopharm (2 doses required) and Sinovac (2 doses required).

4. Once the new requirements take effect, people who have been fully vaccinated in China and have obtained the International Travel Health Certificate through the International Version of COVID-19 Prevention Health Code on Wechat, are no longer required to present the Letter of Commitment on COVID-19 Vaccination.

5. After obtaining the test reports, please upload the test reports and relevant certification materials as soon as possible. The Chinese diplomatic and consular missions in New Zealand will appoint personnel to review and issue health code/health status statement in a timely manner. Please only contact us in case of emergence.  

6. Please fully assess the risk of international travel and avoid all non-essential and non-urgent travels.  If you really need to go to China, please plan relevant tests in advance, carry out closed-loop management after the tests, and take good protection during the journey.  

For more details, please refer to the Q&As on Applying for Health Code or Health Declaration Form (January 2022).

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in New Zealand      

Chinese Consulate-General in Auckland               

Chinese Consulate-General in Christchurch             

11 January 2022