Families rejoice after years of separation as China ends inbound quarantine – Saudi Gazette

Families rejoice after years of separation as China ends inbound quarantine – Saudi Gazette

HONG KONG — China's partial reopening has been met with an outpouring of joy and relief from citizens — both the hundreds of millions isolated inside the country for the past three years and those overseas separated from their loved ones.

Authorities announced Monday that starting January 8, China will drop quarantine requirements for all international arrivals, its most significant move yet in transitioning away from its stringent zero-Covid policy.

The border remains largely closed to foreigners, apart from a limited number of business or family visits -- though the government signaled Monday this could loosen, too.

For many Chinese nationals abroad, who have been unable to return or unwilling to endure the lengthy quarantine, the news meant they could finally go home -- a bittersweet victory after much sacrifice.

"Finally, everybody can (live) their normal life," said one Chinese national living in New York, who hasn't been home for four years. She called the separation "very painful," saying several of her family members and the beloved pet dog she grew up with had died during that time.

Her family "missed (my graduation). They missed so many things," she said. "And I also missed so many things for my family. All my friends, they got