Covid-19 in China

[Randy W]

Check here for up to date information from the Los Angeles China Consulate or check the website of your own consulate.

 HOME > Visa & Consular Services > Covid-19 Updates

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7. To apply for a green health QR code from the Chinese Embassy or Consulates, please send the original test reports and all other documents required through WeChat Mini Program (for Chinese nationals) or the website https://hrhk.cs.mfa.gov.cn/H5/ (for Non-Chinese nationals).

 

8. China-bound foreign passenger nationals departing from Los Angeles must take direct flight, otherwise the HDC QR code for boarding will not be approved in Los Angeles.

For China-bound foreign passengers of a third country where there are direct flights to China, they are required to take a direct flight other than a flight from another country, and their HDC QR code will not be approved in Los Angeles.

For China-bound foreign passengers of a third counry where there is no direct flight to China, they are required to go through required Covid-19 tests and apply HDC QR codes both in the departure country and in Los Angeles if they take a direct flight from Los Angeles to China.

Passengers without the previous HDC QR code issued by the Chinese Embassy or Consulates in the departure country will not be issued a HDC QR code in Los Angeles even they go through required Covid-19 tests in Los Angeles.

10. Inoculated Personnel

(1) For passengers who have received inactivated vaccines:

If the nucleic acid test result is negative and the IgM antibody test result is positive due to inoculation of China-made vaccine, the applicant can apply for the health code following normal procedures. Please download the Statement of COVID-19 Vaccination, fill it out truthfully, sign and and upload it together with the "dual-tests" certificates and vaccination certificates through the application website.

(2) For passengers who have received non-inactivated vaccines:

a. Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are all non-inactivated vaccines. The following procedures apply only to passengers who have completed the prescribed number of inoculations.

b. Positive IgM test results may occur after vaccination. In order to distinguish between vaccination and infection, passengers flying from Los Angeles to China who have been inoculated of the non-inactivated vaccine are advised to follow the following procedures:

When testing in the designated facilities of the Consulate, fill out the Health Declaration Form truthfully, declare your inoculation, and orally express and present your vaccination certificates to the testing agency staff, and consent that the agency will automatically add the N protein test when your IgM test result comes out positive.

When testing the personnel who have been vaccinated of the U.S. vaccine, if the IgM result is positive, the testing agency will automatically add the N protein test (no additional sampling is required), and the test results will be displayed in the test report.

 

c. When reviewing the health code, the Consulate will fully verify the test results with the designated testing agencies, and review the vaccination certificates. If necessary, we will contact the certificate issuer for verification. For those who cannot be confirmed of their inoculation status, make false declaration, or have falsified inoculation certificates or test reports, the health code will not be approved and all responsibilities arising therefrom shall be borne by the parties concerned.

10. Under normal circumstances, the Consulate will complete the procedure of test report verification and issue health code within 12 hours. Please refrain from calling the Consulate for non-emergencies.

11. The validity period of the Health code will be two days after the sample collection date, which means sample collection should be done two days before the departure date of the flight.

Please note that health codes obtained after taking the tests at the designated facilities in Los Angeles are valid only for passengers departing from Los Angeles to China.

 

 

[Randy W]

Covid-19 is still having an effect on the movie-going experience in China. From the Sixth Tone

Be Kind, Rewind: The Big Business of Film Re-Releases in China
“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy is coming back to Chinese cinemas, and it’s only the beginning for movie re-releases this year.

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To the delight of loyal fans, Peter Jackson’s beloved “Lord of the Rings” trilogy is officially being rereleased in cinemas across China, with the first installment having opened on April 16. For many Chinese moviegoers, this marks their first time experiencing the Middle Earth saga on the big screen.

Prior to the trilogy’s re-release, a total of 71 movies had been reissued since the reopening of cinemas after the country’s lockdowns were lifted, accounting for nearly 15% of all films screened in 2020 and 2021.

Naturally, most of the re-releases have been generally well-received by Chinese audiences. So are film distributors and cinemas playing it safe in these uncertain times, or just being lazy? 

 

Chinese cinemas have witnessed a surge in rereleased movies. But is the re-release just a safety play? Sixth Tone finds out. By Tang Xiaolan and Du Yannan/Sixth Tone

Edited May 10, 2021 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

China has taken steps to partition the summit of Mount Everest in a bid to stop coronavirus cases from entering the country over the top of the world’s tallest mountain.

A dividing line will be installed to separate climbers from China and Nepal.

from the NY Times 
https://www.facebook.com/5281959998/posts/10152678369374999/

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/05/10/world/covid-19-coronavirus?smtyp=cur&smid=fb-nytimes#china-is-to-partition-mount-everests-summit-to-reduce-coronavirus-risk

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China, which has approved just 21 permits to climb the mountain from its side this year, has expressed concern about the risk of coronavirus transmission on the mountain. Since the coronavirus first emerged in China in 2019, the country has carried out strict measures to prevent its spread internally and reintroduction from abroad.
The border between Nepal and China crosses the peak of Everest, a small area where a handful of climbers can stand after making a successful ascent. At the summit, 29,031.7 feet above sea level, most climbers already wear masks to supply oxygen and protect themselves from the cold. But China will implement additional steps to reduce the risk of transmission.
In addition to restrictions on the summit, a checkpoint has been installed outside the Chinese base camp. People returning from the Chinese side will have to undergo disinfection, temperature checks and potentially isolation, Xinhua reported.

Nepal has this year approved a record 408 permits to climb Everest, even as coronavirus cases have surged in the country and several climbers have been flown from base camp with symptoms of Covid-19.

 

 

[Randy W]

Chinese Firm Signs Deal to Produce Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine
Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group will produce 1 billion doses of the mRNA vaccine annually that’s 95% effective in preventing COVID-19.

from the Sixth Tone on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/1570821646570023/posts/2944815805837260/

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The deal between Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group and its German partner will allow for the domestic production of 1 billion doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine that’s 95% effecting in preventing COVID-19.

Fosun Pharma will inject a maximum of $100 million into its joint venture with BioNTech to build factories and facilities, while the German company will provide the patent and technological know-how for producing its vaccine, the statement said. Fosun Pharma has exclusive rights to supply the vaccine in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan.
On Monday, BioNTech also announced plans to set up its regional headquarters in Singapore and establish an integrated mRNA manufacturing unit in the country. The Singapore facility will “provide regional and global supply capacity” as well as “rapid response production capability,” the company said.
While Hong Kong and Macao have approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for emergency use, the shot has yet to receive the green light on the Chinese mainland. The Wall Street Journal, citing Chinese officials, reported last month that China is likely to approve the shot by the end of July, making it the first foreign COVID-19 vaccine to be approved for the mainland.
So far, China has approved five domestically manufactured vaccines. By Sunday, it had administered over 317 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines — the most of any country, followed by the United States — and plans to inoculate 40% of its population by the end of June.

 

 

[Randy W]

Mainland China reports first local COVID-19 cases in more than 3 weeks

Medical workers collect swabs from residents following new cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at a nucleic acid test site in Luan, Anhui province, China May 14, 2021. cnsphoto via REUTERS

from Reuters

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Mainland China reported 12 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, including its first local transmissions in more than three weeks, national and regional authorities said.

Four of the cases were local infections in the eastern province of Anhui, all linked to the same case, surnamed Li. State media reported mass testing being carried out in two cities in the province, Luan and Hefei.

Two of the Anhui cases were reported by the National Health Commission on Friday, having been logged on Thursday.

They were the first local transmissions since April 20, when China recorded two in the southwestern province of Yunnan, where a city on the border with Myanmar reported a new cluster in late March.

China's official Xinhua news agency said Li had travelled to Anhui on May 1 from Dalian, a port city in China's northeastern Liaoning province.

The other National Health Commission case, surnamed Zhang, was in close contact with Li during a training class Li led in the city of Luan, Xinhua reported.

 

 

[Randy W]

The Chinese mainland reported 26 locally transmitted #COVID19 cases in three days since Thursday in Anhui and Liaoning provinces. As of Saturday, Anhui and Liaoning reported 12 and 14 local cases, respectively. (Photo: People queued for vaccines in Anhui on Saturday.)

from the Sixth Tone on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/1570821646570023/posts/2948819395436901/?substory_index=0

[Randy W]

 Nepali officials deny there has been a Covid-19 outbreak on Everest. But a climbing guide says he evacuated his team after some 100 cases were confirmed.

from the SCMP on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/scmp/videos/534569560887855/

[Randy W]

Opinion: If the U.S. wants China's lab to give all the data with IPR protection for no real evidence but just suspicion, then China has a strong reason to ask the U.S. to give all the data of its suspicious #FortDetrick bio-chemical lab. 
Let's open our labs together! Joe Biden

from CGTN on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ChinaGlobalTVNetwork/posts/6356564547717645

 

Nathan Rich's "discussion" of the US origin "theories" (CFL link) - 

http://candleforlove.com/forums/topic/50049-coronavirus-in-the-u-s-elsewhere/?do=findComment&comment=644479

 

[Randy W]

 

China’s southern Guangdong province in high gear to quash Covid-19 outbreak

China administered 100 million shots over five days after a surge in Covid-19 cases in Guangdong province. 

from the SCMP on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/355665009819/videos/231344275462588

[Martin B]

My wife just showed me that all flights from the US into Guangzhou are cancelled on Chinese carriers until August at the earliest. Only a few flights to Shanghai on United or Delta...  It would really suck if there was a full-blown outbreak in Guangzhou.

[Randy W]

That IS a full-blown outbreak in Guangdong - China is VERY serious about containing these things.

Coronavirus: Guangdong hit with travel restrictions as outbreak worsens

• Anyone who wants to leave the province must show a negative test result from within 72 hours before departure
• There were 20 new cases on Sunday, with fast-spreading strain first identified in India found in Guangzhou

Mass screening is under way in Guangzhou’s Liwan district, where residents have been told to get tested for Covid-19 every two days. Photo: AP

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Twenty new locally transmitted cases were confirmed on Sunday – 18 in Guangzhou and two in neighbouring Foshan, the Guangdong Health Commission said. That brings the total to 47 cases, 21 of them asymptomatic, since the outbreak began on May 21.
A lockdown is in place in the worst-hit area, a district of Guangzhou, and from 10pm on Monday anyone who wants to leave the province must show a negative test result from within 72 hours before departure. Nearly 500 flights had been cancelled at airports in Guangzhou and Shenzhen – the third city to report cases in the latest outbreak – as of Monday morning.

 

[Randy W]

According to #Guangzhou #Metro, 12 stations (Dongchong, Qingsheng, Huangge Auto Town, Huangge, Jiaomen, Jinzhou, Feishajiao, Guanglong, Dachong, Tangkeng, Nanheng, Nansha Passenger Port) have been #suspended due to the epidemic prevention and control.

from Shenzhen Pages on Facebook 

https://www.facebook.com/305447029839943/posts/1351040428613926/

Edited June 6, 2021 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

On June 4, #Guangdong reported 8 new locally transmitted confirmed #COVID-19 cases, with 6 in Guangzhou and 2 in Foshan. In addition, there are 3 more confirmed cases in Guangzhou that were previously asymptomatic cases. 3 new locally asymptomatic case were also reported.

from Shenzhen Pages on Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/305447029839943/posts/1351029648615004/

An area in #Nansha District, Guangzhou has been locked down and public transport incl. buses, subways, ferries, and long-distance passenger transportation have been shut down. The district is going to conduct a round of COVID-19 #nucleic acid test for all residents on June 5 & 6.

https://www.facebook.com/305447029839943/posts/1351034181947884/

[Randy W]

Guangzhou tightens Covid-19 controls

Southern China’s Guangdong province has ramped up infection-control measures after detecting more Covid-19 cases in the past two weeks.

Read more: https://sc.mp/3mry 

Guangzhou tightens Covid-19 controls as mass tests expose more cases

• Economic powerhouse reports nine more infections, including six in one family
• Authorities screen residents in four districts and upgrade risk level in several zones

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Guangzhou, the provincial capital, is struggling to contain the spread of the Delta coronavirus variant, reporting nine new cases for Saturday to take the city’s total to 94, including 14 asymptomatic infections.
Another case was confirmed on Sunday in Wuchuan, a coastal city 400km (248 miles) from Guangzhou, with that patient having returned to Wuchuan from Guangzhou on May 31.

Since the outbreak started on May 21, the province has detected more than 100 cases, including infections in the neighbouring cities of Foshan and Maoming.

Of the nine new cases in Guangzhou, three are from Liwan, the city’s most seriously hit district. The six others were concentrated in one family in Nansha district, the southernmost new urban area of Guangzhou, which had not previously reported any infections in this outbreak.

The six cases in Nansha were detected during screening on June 4.
Xie Ming, deputy head of the Nansha district government, said a man, identified only as Zhang, and his wife dined at a restaurant in Liwan that had been linked to previous cases.
Xie did not specify who else in the family had tested positive for the coronavirus.
The district screened 93 close contacts of the family and 280 other contacts, all of whom were quarantined.
Mainland news outlet Caixin reported that the couple ate at the restaurant around noon on May 25, the same time as a 78-year-old woman living in Haizhu also dined there. The Haizhu woman was hospitalised on June 1 after testing positive for the virus and two other restaurant patrons tested positive on June 5, the report said.

 

 

Edited June 7, 2021 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

Chinese students with Covid-19 take university entrance exam in hospital isolation ward

These Chinese students are taking their university entrance exams… from the hospital, while recovering from Covid-19. 

 

from the SCMP on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/355665009819/videos/781250069206336