Health Alert: Commercial Flight Update

7 MINUTE READ

June 5, 2020

Location:  People’s Republic of China

Event: The Department of Transportation announced that it will suspend the scheduled passenger operations of all Chinese carriers to and from the United States, effective June 16, 2020, unless effectuated sooner by the President of the United States. Travelers are encouraged to check the following site for the latest guidance and updates from the Department of Transportation: https://www.transportation.gov/newsroom

U.S. citizens intending to return to the United States should continue to seek commercially available flights. While some direct flights on Chinese air carriers are still operating at the time of this notice, there also remain multiple flights daily from major Chinese cities to third countries where U.S. citizens may fly onward to the United States. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) also announced it would allow some international carriers to resume passenger service to China beginning June 8, 2020. Travelers should be aware that flights to and from China are still far below pre-pandemic levels and remain subject to last-minute changes. There are no U.S. government-organized repatriation flights from China at this time.

Please be aware that individuals traveling through a third country may be subject to quarantine requirements and health screenings. Before transiting a third country, travelers should check with their airlines, relevant government websites, and/or travel agency to determine the quarantine, COVID-19 testing, or health screening requirements they might encounter.

In the United States, passengers may be subject to CDC screening, health observation, and monitoring requirements upon reentry to the United States. For additional questions, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 Information for Travel page.

Chinese Visas & Duration of Stay:  If you overstay your visa in China, you may be detained and/or fined.  If you think that an overstay is possible given flight changes/cancellations, you should reach out to the Exit & Entry Administration of the local Public Security Bureau to request an extension.

Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel:  The Department of State continues to advise U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.

You can register your presence in China by enrolling online in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/step.html/.

Actions to Take:

Enroll at STEP.state.gov to receive the latest updates from the Embassy.  Your registration expires automatically based on the dates entered and you will not receive updates after that date.  From within your account settings, update to INDEFINITE to ensure that you continue receiving messages. If you have any trouble, please email CASTEP@state.gov.