To maintain effective COVID-19 prevention and control and prevent inbound cases, the Chinese Embassy in Kuwait (“Embassy”) has updated the requirements for the application for HS QR Code/HDC QR Code. The latest requirements are set forth below and shall take effect as of March 31, 2022.
I. Overall Requirements
1. China-bound passengers departing from Kuwait are advised to take the direct flight to China. As shown by the most recent announcement of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (“CAAC”), Kuwait Airways direct flights to China will be cancelled under China’s circuit-breaker mechanism till mid-to-late July. During this period of suspension, the Embassy will accept and process the applications for HS QR Code/HDC QR Code filed by those who intend to leave Kuwait for China via a third country, provided that there is only transit on the trip itinerary. This means the route must be: from Kuwait to the transit country and then to China.
2. The Embassy may accept the applications for HS QR Code/HDC QR Code filed by those who transit in Kuwait from another country where there are no direct flights to China. Such an applicant is required to apply, prior to departure for Kuwait, for HS QR Code/HDC QR Code with the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in the country of departure. The applicant is allowed to transit only once during his or her trip to China after departure from that country. That is to say, the route must be: from the country of departure to Kuwait and then to China. (This article does not apply during the aforesaid period of suspension)
3. For passengers residing in Kuwait, excluding those who fly from a third country to transit in Kuwait, each must undergo quarantine before leaving for China. For individual fellow Chinese in Kuwait, each must self-quarantine himself or herself for at least 14 days before leaving for China, and, after the end of the self-quarantine, fill in and sign the Letter of Commitment on Quarantine (see appendix). For internal personnel of Chinese enterprises and institutions in Kuwait, these enterprises and institutions shall make proper arrangements for and supervise the 21-day quarantine of those who will return to China, require them to fill in and sign the Letter of Commitment on Quarantine after the end of the quarantine, and stamp their Letters of Commitment on Quarantine with the corporate seal.
II. Epidemic Control Measures for Different Categories of Applicants
1. For fully vaccinated applicants
A person will be considered the fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving all necessary shots for a vaccine developed by China or one approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) for emergency use or marketing. For those who apply within 14 days after receiving all necessary shots, the Embassy will not issue the HS QR Code/HDC QR Code.
Please note that a person who has yet to receive all necessary shots under the two-dose or three-dose vaccination program or who receive two shots of an inactivated vaccine in a single day, will be considered the unvaccinated.
1) For those vaccinated with inactivated vaccines (made by Sinopharm, Sinovac and others)
An applicant is required to take, within 24 hours prior to boarding a flight bound for China, Nucleic Acid (PCR) Dual Tests (in which two swabs are used for sampling and then tested separately with two different kinds of reagents) at the designated institution.
2) For those vaccinated with non-inactivated vaccines (made by Pfizer, AstraZeneca and others)
An applicant is required to take, within 24 hours prior to boarding a flight bound for China, the nucleic acid (PCR) test and the IgM antibody test against N protein at the designated institution.
3) Notes
A. For those already fully vaccinated with the inactivated vaccines, please apply for health codes in line with the requirements applicable to the fully vaccinated applicants, even if they get vaccinated again with non-inactivated vaccines later.
B. Timing of tests: for example, if a passenger’s flight to China or to a transit country is scheduled to take off at 19:00 on April 2, 2022, the sampling time must be no earlier than 19:00 on April 1, 2022 for the Nucleic Acid (PCR) Dual Tests and no earlier than 7:00 on April 2, 2022 for the antigen test. If the flight departs in the morning, the passenger may take the antigen test no earlier than noon the day prior to departure.
2. For unvaccinated applicants
1) An applicant is required to take, within 24 hours prior to boarding a flight bound for China, a nucleic acid (PCR) test and an IgM antibody test at the designated institution.
2) An applicant is required to take, within 12 hours prior to boarding a flight bound for China, an antigen test at the designated institution.
Timing of tests: for example, if a passenger’s flight to China is scheduled to take off at 19:00 on April 2, 2022, the sampling time must be no earlier than 19:00 on April 1, 2022 for both the nucleic acid (PCR) test and the antigen test. If the flight departs in the morning, the passenger may take the antigen test no earlier than noon the day prior to departure.
3. For applicants who have recovered from COVID-19
An applicant will be considered as recovered from COVID-19 if he or she was confirmed to have COVID-19, or if he or she, when unvaccinated, tested positive in any of the nucleic acid (PCR) test, the IgM antibody test and the IgG antibody test even though he or she is not confirmed to have COVID-19.
To apply for HS QR Code/HDC QR Code with the Embassy, an applicant who has recovered from COVID-19 is required to apply, first of all, for undergoing quarantine and health observation. The period of quarantine and health observation will be 14 days in principle, and may be prolonged as appropriate by the Embassy under special circumstances. An applicant who has recovered from COVID-19 still has to apply for undergoing quarantine and health observation with the Embassy, even though he or she has been fully vaccinated. Persons who have recovered from COVID-19 are advised to apply, as early as possible, for undergoing quarantine and health observation with the Embassy, if they have plans to travel to China.
The application procedures are given as below:
1) File an application for undergoing quarantine and health observation with the Embassy to chinaconsulate20@gmail.com, and attach the documents listed below.
A. A chest imaging diagnostic report issued by a local medical institution within 30 days before your application, which is not compulsory for pregnant women. The day when the chest imaging diagnostic report was issued must be later than the day when the applicant was diagnosed with COVID-19 or tested positive in a relevant test.
B. Proof of negative results in two nucleic acid (PCR) tests that are conducted within the most recent three days, with a sampling interval of at least 24 hours. The dates of the two nucleic acid (PCR) tests must be later than the date when the applicant was diagnosed with COVID-19 or tested positive in a relevant test.
C. An explanation about the COVID-19 infection or the positive result in a relevant test, which must clearly indicate the basic information about the applicant including name and passport number and be signed by the applicant himself or herself, plus a scanned copy of his or her identification like passport, proof of recovery from COVID-19 (if any), etc.
2) The Embassy will notify the applicant by email of starting quarantine and health observation, if his or her application for undergoing quarantine and health observation is approved upon review. The timeline for quarantine and health observation will be given in the email.
3) After the end of quarantine and health observation, the applicant is required to email to the Embassy the Personal Health Monitoring Form (see appendix).
A. If there are no warning signs regarding his or her health status, the applicant may proceed to receive all required tests in line with the category-specific requirements stated herein, and then apply for HS QR Code/HDC QR Code with the Embassy. The applicant is advised to receive timely treatment if he or she tests positive, and after full recovery, may re-apply for undergoing quarantine and health observation with the Embassy.
B. If there are any warning signs or symptoms related to COVID-19, including fever, cough and diarrhea, during the period of quarantine and health observation, the applicant is required to take a nucleic acid (PCR) test in time.
a. The applicant will be required to undergo again 14-day quarantine and health observation, if he or she tests negative in the nucleic acid (PCR) test.
b. The applicant is advised to receive timely treatment if he or she tests positive in the nucleic acid (PCR) test, and, after full recovery, may re-apply for undergoing quarantine and health observation with the Embassy.
4. For close contacts
A close contact is someone who has been close, without effective health and safety measures, to a person that tests positive in an antigen test, at any time within 12 hours before boarding, or to a person that is a suspected or confirmed case at any time from two days before that person developed symptoms, or if that person does not have any symptoms, from two days before the date that person’s positive test was taken. For example, for a person confirmed to have COVID-19, or diagnosed as an asymptomatic case (as shown by a positive nucleic acid (PCR) test result), the relatives accompanying that person, and the colleagues or classmates around that person, etc., will be all considered to be close contacts.
A close contact must undergo 14-day health observation, during which he or she has to take the nucleic acid (PCR) test respectively on the 1st, 4th and 7th day. If the results of all three tests are negative, he or she may proceed to receive all required tests in line with the category-specific requirements stated herein, and then apply for HS QR Code/HDC QR Code with the Embassy.
For example, an applicant whose most recent close contact, without effective health and safety measures, with a confirmed, suspected or asymptomatic case is on April 1, must take three nucleic acid (PCR) tests on April 2, on April 5 and on April 8 respectively. If the results of all three tests are negative, he or she may, after the quarantine ended on April 15, proceed to receive all required tests in line with the category-specific requirements stated herein, and then apply for HS QR Code/HDC QR Code with the Embassy. Reports of the aforesaid three nucleic acid (PCR) tests conducted on the 1st, 4th and 7th day must be submitted together with his or her application as well.
5. For persons with COVID-19-related symptoms
A person with COVID-19-related symptoms is identified as someone who has warning signs or symptoms related to COVID-19, including fever, cough and diarrhea, at any time 14 days prior to his or her application for health code, or is refused boarding by an airline company during the same period because of a relatively high temperature or such warning signs or symptoms.
Such a person is required to undergo 14-day health observation, during which he or she has to take the nucleic acid (PCR) test respectively on the 1st, 4th and 7th day. If the results of all three tests are negative, he or she may proceed to receive all required tests in line with the category-specific requirements stated herein, and then apply for HS QR Code/HDC QR Code with the Embassy. Reports of the aforesaid three nucleic acid (PCR) tests conducted on the 1st, 4th and 7th day must be submitted together with his or her application as well.
III. Submit an Application
An applicant is advised to apply as early as possible for HS QR Code/HDC QR Code with the Embassy after receipt of the negative test reports. The applicant should be liable for the consequences, such as postponing the travel plan, that may arise from his or her late application.
1. How to Apply
If you are a Chinese citizen, please find the WeChat mini program called “防疫健康码国际版” to apply. You are allowed to submit applications for other Chinese citizens.
If you are not a Chinese citizen, please visit the website at https://hrhk.cs.mfa.gov.cn/H5/, register for an account with your email, and then log into the account to apply (Do not forget your registration email and password). You are allowed to submit applications for other non-Chinese citizens.
2. Required Information and Materials
Applicants must provide complete and accurate information, and upload the category-specific materials listed as below.
IV. Review
The Embassy will review all applications in chronological order. If an application is approved by the Embassy, the applicant could log into his or her account via the WeChat mini program called “防疫健康码国际版” or at https://hrhk.cs.mfa.gov.cn/H5/ to get the HS QR Code/HDC QR Code issued by the Embassy.
If an application is rejected by the Embassy, the applicant could log into his or her account via the WeChat mini program called “防疫健康码国际版” or at https://hrhk.cs.mfa.gov.cn/H5/ to find the review comments, and is allowed to update and resubmit the application.
If the Embassy ultimately decides not to issue the HS QR Code/HDC QR Code, it means the applicant does not satisfy, at the moment of application, the requirements for travels to China, and thus needs to rearrange his or her travel plan.
V. Useful Information for COVID-19 Tests
1. Designated institutions for nucleic acid (PCR) tests
The New Kuwait German Laboratory
Inquiry Hotline: 00965-60989529; 67694750
Reservation Phone Number: 00965-69305180; 69305267
Customer Service Phone Number: 00965-60992046; 69006685; 69677142
Address: Salmiya, Aknan Clinic, Second Floor, Block 3, Street 6, Opposite Geant Supermarket
2. Designated institutions for IgM antibody tests
A. The New Kuwait German Laboratory
Inquiry and Reservation Phone Number: 00965-98771389
Address: Salmiya, Aknan Clinic, Second Floor, Block 3, Street 6, Opposite Geant Supermarket
B. Jarallah German Specialized Clinic
Inquiry and Reservation Phone Number: 00965-99819974
Address: Hawally, Al Mutasim Street, 3-1, Intersection 3rd Ring Road with Cairo Street
Kindly Reminder: These testing institutions will send the electronic copy of test reports via SMS messages to the mobile numbers provided by the testees. As the electronic copies will bear the signatures or seals of the testing institutions, testees do not have to get the stamped test reports on site at the testing institutions.
3. Personal information stated on the test report, such as name, date of birth, age and passport number, must be identical with that of the applicant.
4. Given that the Kuwaiti government has yet to release a policy of exempting infants and young children from testing, infants and young children still have to take the required tests in line with the requirements mentioned above, if they need the HS QR Code/HDC QR Code.
VI. Important Notes
1. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a grave challenge, travelers planning trips to China are advised to fully evaluate the risks posed by the pandemic and their travel costs, avoid all unnecessary and non-urgent travels, and reduce long-distance or cross-border trips.
2. An applicant is advised to consciously reduce contact with the outside world, quarantine himself or herself at home, reduce unessential going-out, and avoid crowded gatherings, parties and collective dining, so as to protect himself or herself from COVID-19, once the itinerary of his or her trip to China is finalized. The applicant should stay at home for quarantine after taking all required tests, and ensure good protection on the day of departure.
3. Each applicant must use his or her authentic personal information and real and effective test reports to apply. In the event that an applicant is found to intentionally conceal his or her illness or to alter or fabricate test reports, the parties involved will be held legally accountable.
