ASKED about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recent order rescinding the mandatory requirement for a negative Covid-19 test result from travelers from China to the U.S, Marianas Visitors Authority board member Ivan Quichocho said it is a positive development for the tourism industry.
“This news obviously makes it easier for [Chinese] tourists to visit Saipan again,” Quichocho added.
The CNMI visa-waiver program in place allows tourists from China, including Hong Kong, to visit the Commonwealth for 14 days (not 45 days as earlier reported) without a U.S. visa.
Effective March 10, 2023, CDC said air passengers will no longer need to get tested and show a negative Covid-19 test result, or show documentation of recovery from Covid-19, prior to boarding a flight to the U.S. from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
“We will no longer require proof of negative Covid tests,” a U.S. Custom Border Protection official told Variety.
Prior to the global spread of Covid-19 in 2020, China was the CNMI’s second largest tourism market after South Korea.
In 2020, arrivals from China, which totaled 185,550 in 2019, dropped to 18,550. In 2021 and 2022, there were a total of 198 arrivals from China.
Ivan Quichocho
