Getting There is Half the Fun

The multistep process of securing a miraculous opportunity in China.

Travel Requirements for China during COVID-19:

• PU Invitation Letter from the Chinese Government - refers to "pŭtōng" (普通) which means "ordinary" as it applies to ordinary passport holders

• Visa issued by the Chinese Consulate

• Negative rt-PCR, S-Protein IgM antibody, and N-Protein IgM antibody tests, conducted at a handful of testing facilities approved by the Chinese Consulate

• Flight Itinerary

• Green Health Declaration Code, generated by the Chinese Consulate (expires 35 hours after issue)

• Red Exit/Entry Health Declaration Code, generated by Chinese Customs (expires 48 hours after issue)

Ready for Adventure

I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to travel and sing in this ever-changing climate. I am deeply grateful to the iSing! International Young Artists Festival for their tireless efforts.

The groundwork began during the month of August, when I received my official Invitation Letter, submitted an online visa application to the Chinese Consulate of New York, and procured a travel itinerary that would allow for the mandated pre-travel COVID testing.

San Francisco

Because flights to China are limited and the number of approved US testing facilities is constantly changing, we secured a two-day layover in San Francisco to accomplish the required COVID tests. Booking an appointment at the facility required a confirmed itinerary and the completion of three different online forms.

The rt-PCR test involved two nasal swabs and the IgM antibody tests required a blood draw.

Arriving in San Francisco the morning of August 27, my appointment at the test site was 3pm the same day. I anxiously awaited the results, which arrived via email at 9am on August 28, and was utterly relieved when they were all NEGATIVE. Step 1 was complete!

Cleared for Takeoff

Step 2: applying for two different health codes.

Photos of my three NEGATIVE test results, along with my passport, visa, and other travel information, were submitted to the Chinese Consulate's Health Declaration Certificate website. This generated my "Green Code". Similar documentation was submitted through China's Customs Health Declaration website, which generated a "Red Code". Both codes were required to check-in and board the aircraft, expiring several hours after arrival.

At long last, it was time to fly!