Let’s get real. No one expected we could travel outside of China by winter, right? Even so, many families began looking more inward, delving once again into guide books to learn what places within the country of China we could visit.
Then the school announcements came. Mine arrived right on cue, making it clear that their instructions were direct from the Chaoyang Education Committee, and specified that “traveling outside of Beijing is not encouraged; however, it is not banned.” This was consistent with other districts as well, including Shunyi. After speaking with a number of students, teachers, and schools themselves, a few guiding principles prevailed. We of course suggest that you check directly with your school, but these are good guidelines to understand:
- Everyone prefers that you stay put in Beijing.
- No one is stopping you from traveling elsewhere.
- If you travel outside of China and are able to return (that’s a big “if” from a lot of other countries, remember that you need to quarantine for at least 14 days, you may not have a choice of where you quarantine and will need to take multiple nucleic acid tests at various times before you can return to Beijing.
- Some schools even went so far as to outline what equipment and the type of WiFi access students and teachers will need to bring with them in the event they are stuck outside of the country or must go into quarantine again.
- At least one school specified that time in quarantine because of travel outside of Beijing is considered unpaid leave.
- If you travel to one of the high-risk areas (see list below and updated lists here) or an area becomes high-risk while you were there, you will need to report it to the school (each school with this system already in place has its own form). Remember that your Health Kit tracks where you’ve been.
- You will also be required to submit the results of a negative nucleic acid test within seven days of returning to school. Some schools are unclear if this means the entire family or just the student. Check with your own school to make that distinction.
- Some schools, though not all we spoke with, will also require a 14-day quarantine and nucleic acid test before returning to school from a high-risk area. Again, if you travel to a low or medium-risk area and the area becomes high risk while you’re there or soon after, this may apply to you.
- There are some accounts of early education and lower primary teachers requiring a nucleic acid test if they return from high-risk areas, but not all.
- Many schools have some form of daily record for their students and/or staff where they state their location, general health, and temperatures. Stick to the truth on these forms.
- Any of these guidelines can change at any time, as new information is received.
As of publication, the China Government Network lists the following as high and medium risk areas, but continue to check for yourself…
High-risk areas:
- Tianjin Dongjiang Free Trade Port Area (Dongjiang Port Area) Kanhaixuan Community
- Dongshan Sub-district Office, Manzhouli City, Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
Medium risk area:
- No. 4 Sub-district Office, Zhalai Nuoer District, Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
- South District Sub-district Office, Manzhouli City, Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
- North District Sub-district Office, Manzhouli City, Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
- Xinghua Street Office, Manzhouli City, Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
- Xinsheng Community, Zhuqiao Town, Pudong New Area, Shanghai
- Alley 450, Hangcheng 7th Road, Zhuqiao Town, Pudong New Area, Shanghai
- Tomorrow Huacheng Community, Zhoupu Town, Pudong New Area, Shanghai
- Lane 126, Shunhe Road, Zhangjiang Town, Pudong New Area, Shanghai
KEEP READING: Updated Winter Camps in Beijing and Beyond!
Images: Cindy Marie Jenkins
