China relaxes "Zero Covid" travel restrictions

[Gaybutton]

That is domestic travel within China as a result of protests, but apparently has not yet changed its policy about Chinese nationals traveling out of China. For us, that translates into no hordes of Chinese tour buses just yet. For the past several months I have seen occasional articles stating China probably will not change its policy on international travel until at least the end of 2023. We will see.

Also, I have seen no attempts by any of the Pattaya businesses and venues that pre-Covid catered specifically to Chinese tourists to re-brand to try to cater to everybody. I have no idea why or whether they will survive until Chinese tourists can eventually return to Thailand.

I think catering to basically Chinese-only was a serious mistake in the first place, but as far as I can tell nothing has changed. I remember a friend and I wanted to try a Chinese restaurant we spotted on Pattaya Tai. When we arrived we were informed this restaurant is only for Chinese tour buses and we were turned away. As far as I know they are still closed. They never even tried reopening and serving anyone who wants to eat there. That kind of policy is typical of these businesses and under the circumstances makes no sense to me, but that's what they're doing.

That is not the only restaurant that catered only to Chinese customers and never reopened to everyone else. The same for certain hotels, tour bus destinations, venues, etc.

I haven't figured out the logic of that, so guess what's on my "I Don't Get It" list . . .
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China loosens curbs on zero-COVID policy and entry restrictions for travelers

By Pattaya Mail

December 11, 2022

China has announced the most sweeping changes to its resolute anti-COVID regime since the pandemic began three years ago, relaxing rules that halted the spread of the virus but sparked protests and crippled the second-largest economy in the world.

President Xi Jinping, who views China’s relentless fight against COVID as one of his greatest achievements, presided over a meeting of the Communist Party’s Political Bureau on Tuesday and announced the policy changes.

The relaxation of rules, which includes allowing infected individuals with mild symptoms to quarantine at home and eliminating testing for domestic travelers, is the clearest indication that Beijing is relaxing its zero-COVID policy to allow people to live with the disease.

Many of the changes announced by the National Health Commission (NHC) reflected steps already taken in various cities and regions in recent days in response to protests against strict COVID controls.

Shanghai was among the first cities to announce that it would implement the new home quarantine guidelines and eliminate entry restrictions for travelers. The Shanghai Disneyland theme park has been scheduled to reopen to the public on Dec 8.

Numerous investors applauded the change, stating that the easing could revitalize China’s sluggish economy and currency and boost global growth.

https://www.pattayamail.com/chiangmaima ... ers-418719

[Jun]

I hope the external travel restrictions last for a few more months yet. I'm intending to try the new railway in Laos before they let the Chinese out.