(Cover photo credit: www.contagionlive.com)

The Chinese authorities have strictly limited international flights since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The “Five One Policy” allows foreign airlines to only operate a single flight to China each week, resulting in 18 total international flights to China per week.

New international travel procedures include additional PCR tests and antigen tests before and after the departure. Although the added antigen test is much quicker than the PCR test, the new addition to an already long list of requirements will increase the complexity and efforts of getting on a plane to China.

“This small test wouldn’t impact my decisions on the grand scale,” says Jason Li, a freshman from Illinois planning to go to China. “Everything is still kind of chaotic and stressful, but I believe we can eventually overcome it.”

Luca Forbes, a freshman from New York City, commented that “I will keep China in mind, but for the moment, I am more focused on being able to complete my classes in a positive remote environment,” he shared. “I trust the guidance of Chinese health officials who recommend an additional test despite the rigorous process.”