Health Alert: China, Announcement on Lockdown Measures
Location: People’s Republic of China
Event: Ongoing COVID-19 Outbreak and Related PRC Response Measures
The United States has no higher priority than the safety, health, and well-being of U.S. citizens overseas. The U.S. Mission to China is closely following the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak with great concern. Expanded COVID-19 prevention and control measures may include residential quarantines, mass testing, closures, transportation disruptions, lockdowns, and possible family separation. These measures can be changed and implemented very quickly.
Local health authorities are authorized under PRC laws to require COVID-19 tests and for people to be quarantined. U.S. citizens in the PRC are subject to PRC laws, including those regarding COVID-19 regulations. The penalties for violating these laws may be severe.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has exercised its enforcement discretion to allow certain persons departing from Shanghai to travel to the United States without a pre-departure COVID-19 test. For more information please refer to the CDC website at: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/china
On April 11th, the U.S. Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. Government employees and family members at U.S. Consulate General Shanghai, effective immediately. The Department of State made this decision due to the surge in COVID-19 cases and impact of restrictions related to the implementation of public health response measures. While the Consulate General remains closed to the public due to local COVID-19 control measures, it will remain staffed and continue to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in need. This authorization does not impact U.S. Embassy Beijing or the other Consulates General in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), or the services provided to U.S. citizens.
Actions to Take:
- If you wish to depart the PRC, book tickets on available commercial flights.
- Review your personal preparedness to ensure you have a sufficient supply of money, medication, and food and baby supplies for your family in the event of sudden restrictions or extended quarantine.
- Ensure all necessary documents are accessible and up-to-date, including travel and identity documents.
- Contact your loved ones and share regular updates. Family and friends will be concerned about your well-being, so reach out to them however possible – via phone, text, social media, etc. – to let them know you are safe. Text and data services may work when voice does not.
- Enroll in the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at https://step.state.gov/to get direct information from the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in the PRC.
- Visit the Department of State’s China Country Information webpage for the latest travel conditions.
- Visit Embassy Beijing’s COVID-19 Information Page https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/covid-19-information/ for the latest Covid related information
- For questions about accessing your confirmed flight from Shanghai due to local health control measures – email ShanghaiACS@state.govor call+86 10 8531-4000 (press “0” for operator).
- For questions about access to food, water, medications, or supplies in Shanghai or for other urgent assistance – email ShanghaiACS@state.govor call+86 10 8531-4000 (press “0” for operator).
- Contact your local neighborhood committee or employer for assistance with obtaining food delivery or bulk ordering. Food deliveries may be delayed, and the supply of certain items limited.
- For questions regarding other parts of the People’s Republic of China – call the Embassy or Consulate General located in your district using the contact information at the bottom of this message.
In case of emergency, please reach out to the Embassy or Consulate General in your consular district by calling +(86)(10) 8531-4000. Further information can also be found at https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/contact/ and emailing:
Embassy Beijing: BeijingACS@state.gov
Consulate General Guangzhou: GuangzhouACS@state.gov
Consulate General Shanghai: ShanghaiACS@state.gov
Consulate General Shenyang: ShenyangACS@state.gov
Consulate General Wuhan: WuhanACS@state.gov