Returning to teach in China: What you need to know

The first thing to say is that before you head to China to continue your teaching career, check the latest travel advice from your home country government and from Chinese authorities. Things are changing all the time and we can’t predict when new restrictions or quarantines will be implemented, but this general advice should prepare you for your journey and first two weeks back in China. B

Before you travel

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  • If you have any concerns that you may be infected with Covid-19 DO NOT travel. 
  •  If you are in a high-risk category because of other health concerns, speak to a medical professional before making any travel plans. 
  • Prior to your journey, you will need to make sure you take all the necessary documents.  
  • Do not take excessive baggage. The situation at the airport and the transferal of luggage is very different from how it used to be and you should restrict luggage to essentials. 
  •  Do prepare for two weeks of isolation. You’ll need a VPN for internet access as free wifi can be temperamental, to say the least. 
  • Other practical items you will need are shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, toothbrush, nail clippers, towels, detergent and a rack to hang your washing on. You may want to bring mobile speakers or a lamp too – but remember you’re travelling light. 

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Arriving in China

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  • Wherever you arrive in China there is still a 14-day quarantine period in place and strict rules about what to do when you land to ensure that you are correctly registered.  
  • All passengers on flights to China are required to complete an accounting test within 5 days of boarding and to upload the certificate confirming a negative result on the international version of the international programme for epidemic prevention and health website. 
  • When you land in China you will need to follow the guidance of staff and officials to navigate your way around the airport safely.  
  • Staff may ask for information about your health, the reason for your journey and the situation in the country you have travelled from. This is for the safety of all and it’s important you answer all questions honestly.  
  • You will be given an accounting test, retrieve your baggage and be allocated a local hotel for your 14-day quarantine period. 
  • You can choose between a 3* and 4* hotel with the 4* being more expensive at around 400 Yuan compared with 300 Yuan for the 3*.  
  • The hotels will provide food for 100 Yuan day, and some will allow food to be delivered by local takeaways. We recommend where possible that you opt for one that allows delivery, and which has plenty of local takeaways as this will allow you to enjoy a more varied diet during your stay. 
  • Once you’re assigned a hotel, you will need to wait for a bus to take you there. Be prepared for a long wait as the buses will only go when there are sufficient numbers of passengers and this can mean waiting for several flights to land and for passengers to be processed. 

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We won’t lie to you, the quarantine period is boring. But it’s necessary for your safety and that of others. And once the two weeks are up, you can be confident that everything has been done to make your time in the country as pleasant and risk-free and possible. 

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