China to scrap PCR test requirement for inbound travelers

BEIIJING (AP) — Travelers entering China will no longer need to provide a negative PCR test result starting Saturday. A Foreign Ministry official says that travelers can instead show a negative antigen test result taken within 48 hours before boarding. It’s another easing of China’s “zero COVID” policies that sharply curbed travel. Beijing resumed issuing all types of visas last month but the PCR test requirement still deterred travelers. PCR tests are highly accurate but cost time and money, while antigen tests are easier to obtain. The Foreign Ministry official says airlines will no longer be required to check test results before departure.