1. On 20 July 2020, the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the General Administration of Customs of China and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China jointly published the Announcement on Presenting Negative Results of COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Tests before Boarding by Passengers Taking Flights Bound for China (click here to read), which aims to ensure the health and safety of international travel and to reduce the risk of cross-border spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Announcement also requires Chinese Embassies to strengthen communication with host countries and issue specific implementation measures when conditions are met.

2. Since there are no direct flights between Suriname and China, all passengers leaving Suriname bound for China must transit through a third country. Chinese and foreign passengers departing Suriname for China via a third country where such certificate is not required, do not need to obtain COVID-19 negative certificates.

Chinese and foreign passengers departing Suriname for China via a third country where such certificate is required (e.g. Netherlands, click here to read list of countries), must take the nucleic acid tests for COVID-19 within 3 days before boarding the final connecting flight to China.

Foreign passengers are also required to present their COVID-19 negative certificates to Chinese Embassies or Consulates in their respective home country where the tests are done to apply for Health Declaration Forms.

It should also be emphasized that the Health Declaration Forms must be valid during transit. Otherwise passengers can be barred for boarding.

Please also be noted that a certified Health Declaration Form is not a prerequisite for a Chinese visa, and vice versa.

3. As for now, Suriname is still unable to provide COVID-19 nucleic acid testing services for passengers. The Chinese Embassy in Suriname is communicating with relevant government Ministries and institutions of Suriname to make preparation for the implementation of the Announcement and will issue specific implementation measures when conditions are met. The Chinese Embassy in Suriname reminds all passengers departing Suriname for China to pay close attention to the notices of the Embassy as well as notices of Chinese Embassies in transit countries when preparing their respective travel arrangements.

The Embassy of the P. R. China

in the Republic of Suriname

September 1, 2020