In order to reduce cross-border transmission of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of passengers, the Chinese Embassy in Malawi issued this notice on the adjustments of testing requirements for all China-bound passengers.

All Chinese and foreign passengers who are going to China via connecting flights are required to take 2 nucleic acid tests at following designated facilities in Lilongwe within 2 days before boarding their flight to the transit country, and apply for a green health QR code. Passengers who obtain the "HS"(for Chinese nationals) code or "HDC"(for Non-Chinese nationals) code from the Chinese Embassy are allowed to board the flight. The specific requirements are as follows:

1. Testing Requirements

All China-bound passengers must take 2 nucleic acid tests at National Microbiology Reference Laboratory and Kamuzu Central Hospital respectively within 2 days before boarding their flight to the transit country and then take both nucleic acid test and IgM anti-body test in the transit country before boarding the plane to China. Passengers must apply at the local Chinese embassies/consulates in BOTH Malawi and transit country for green health QR code with certificates of negative testing results.

Validity period of the green health QR code is calculated based on the sample collection date. For example, if the departure date is 3 January, passengers must take tests on 1 January and apply for the green health QR code immediately when the results come out. The test results are usually issued on the next day of sampling.

The Chinese Embassy in Malawi only recognizes the negative test reports with TT code issued by the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory and Kamuzu Central Hospital. Any false declaration, falsification of test results or alteration of test reports will result in rejection of health code application and being declined of boarding or be held liable for the offense.

Applicants can visit the website (https://hrhk.cs.mfa.gov.cn/H5/) and finish registration, login, and password resetting with an email account. Applicants should fill every blank with true and correct information and upload 2 negative test reports, information page of passport, Chinese visa(or valid Chinese Residence Permits of three categories), itinerary, recent entry and exit records into/from Malawi(if any), vaccination certificate(if any) and Letter of Commitment on COVID-19 Vaccination. After examining and verifying, the Chinese Embassy in Malawi will issue a green health QR code.

2. Requirements of Connecting Flights

There is no direct flight from Malawi to China, and all China-bound passengers are only allowed to transfer once. The Chinese Embassy in Malawi does not accept application from multi-countries transit passengers or passengers who do not live in Malawi. The green health QR code issued by the Chinese Embassy in Malawi is only for flight to transit country. Passengers are advised to check the websites of the Chinese embassies/consulates in transit country on the testing requirements and stay in the transit country for some days to take the nucleic acid test and IgM anti-body test and apply for green health QR code again for boarding direct flight to China.

3. Self-isolation Requirements

Passengers are required to stay in Malawi for at least 28 days before applying for health code and conduct self-isolation and health monitoring for at least 14 days before departure. If the passengers develop COVID-19 symptoms before boarding, please postpone or cancel the trips. Passengers are advised to take effective measures of personal protection especially at airports and other areas where there is a high risk of infection.

4. Confirmed Cases

All China-bound passengers who have a history of infection or were tested positive for one of the nucleic acid, IgM and IgG anti-body tests are required to report to the Embassy after recovery and follow the following procedures:

Have a chest X-ray or CT scan, and take 2 nucleic acid tests at the designated facilities (the sampling interval is not less than 24 hours) within 3 days, send the test reports of X-ray/CT and nucleic acid to consulatemlw@gmail.com for review. The email should be sent within 7 days after chest X-ray or CT scan and 3 days after the nucleic acid tests. Applicants are required to conduct self-isolation and health monitoring for at least 14 days if were approved by the Embassy. If there is no symptoms, passengers can apply for health code after self-isolation.

Suspected cases and close contacts are highly recommended to postpone or cancel their trips and contact the embassy at least 14 days before boarding.

5. Inoculated Personnel

Passengers who have been vaccinated can only be tested and apply for the health code at least 14 days after being fully vaccinated. Inoculated passengers should upload the Vaccination Certificate together with the Letter of Commitment on COVID-19 Vaccination (please download from the attachment) through the application website when applying for the health code. Applicants take full responsibility of the Commitment.

The Chinese Embassy in Malawi would like to remind the public to ensure that "non-essential, non-emergency, no travel ", especially to avoid frequent cross-border travel.

Chinese Embassy in Malawi

17 September, 2021