Why are China’s Covid rules so strict?
At the outbreak of the pandemic, China set out "zerocovid" measures that were harsh, but not out of line with what many other countries were doing to try to contain the virus.
However, while most other nations saw the health and safety regulations as temporary until vaccines were widely available, China has stuck steadfastly to its strategy.
Weary of the policy that has confined millions of people to their homes in an attempt to isolate every infection, and with an eye on the freedoms now enjoyed elsewhere around the world, protests have broken out around China in recent days.
Though some restrictions have been eased in some places, the ruling Communist Party has affirmed its "zero-covid" strategy.
Inbound travellers need to take a PCR test before flyingand quarantine in a hotel for five days and at home for three days upon arrival.
Travellers on domestic flights, trains or buses who are close contacts of someone with Covid-19 need to quarantine for five days at designated sites, plus three days at home.
Inside China, individuals need to show their personal "green code" – indicating they are Covid negative – when entering public places or when using public transit.
China has reacted quickly and decisively to any detection of Covid-19, and has locked down parts of or entire cities. At the moment the central urban area of Chongqing, with about 10.3 million people, is in lockdown, as is part of Guangzhou. China has many other regulations that would be familiar to most from the early months of the pandemic, including wearing masks in public venues.