U.S. Embassy & Consulates
in China

The U.S. Consulate General Shanghai hosted a Virtual Town Hall for U.S. Citizens in Shanghai on April 4 to provide information on the developing COVID-19 health control measures situation. Due to the platform limiting capacity to 500, not everyone was able to join.  Below is a summary of key information.

• People’s Republic of China (PRC) authorities continue to expand COVID-19 prevention and control measures in Shanghai. These measures may include residential quarantines, mass testing, closures, transportation disruptions, lockdowns, and possible family separation.
• Everyone should register in STEP at https://step.state.gov/.  This is the easiest way to ensure you get the most up-to-date security information. Encourage your U.S. citizen neighbors and friends to do so immediately if they haven’t done so already.
• Due to local health control measures, the American Citizen Services office in the Westgate Mall closed from Wednesday, March 30. We expect to remain closed until authorities allow us to reopen our facilities. We encourage U.S. citizens to visit our website for the latest information on our operating status.
• If you experience an emergency during our closure period, please call +86 10-8531-4000. We are coordinating with the Embassy in Beijing and other consulates around the country to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens. You may also email ShanghaiACS@state.gov with inquiries.
• U.S. citizens who wish to depart the PRC are urged to do so using commercial flights. Commercial flights out of Shanghai are available but limited. Contact us if you have an emergency requiring international travel and health control measures prevent you from departing the PRC. In general, we are unable to assist U.S. citizens with non-emergency travel plans. We are engaging with local authorities and advocating for U.S. citizens to be able to access airports under non-emergency circumstances.
• Local authorities have announced that hospital emergency rooms will be open for life-threatening emergencies during lockdowns. If you are unable to access emergency medical treatment or receive necessary medications, call us at +86-10-8531-4000.
• We are aware of and deeply concerned about cases of U.S. citizen children who test positive for COVID-19 being separated from their parents and kept in isolation. The Consulate has an extremely limited ability to intervene in local quarantine or pandemic-related control measures.  We will make every effort to assist in individual cases. If you find yourself in this situation, please call us at +86-10-8531-4000.
• We are concerned about the issue of humane treatment of pets. We cannot assist individuals making travel arrangements for pets. We recommend you have backup plans for the care of your pets if you are departing the country and are not able to complete necessary steps to bring your pet with you.
• Ensure you have a sufficient supply of money, medication, and food and baby supplies for your family and pets. Food deliveries may be delayed and the supply of certain items limited. You may contact your local neighborhood committee for assistance with obtaining food delivery or bulk ordering.