Starting from April 29, China has decided to abandon the requirement for travelers to present a negative PCR test result, in an effort to stimulate its economy. Instead, visitors will be able to show a negative rapid antigen test result.

Airlines will no longer need to check the proof, and the decision was made to further facilitate cross-border travel, according to Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. The country’s strict entry rules for travelers have been relaxed due to an improvement in the COVID-19 situation in the country, with the number of infection cases dropping to its lowest level in April since December, according to He Qinghua of the National Health Commission.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that China has recorded only 1,255 Coronavirus infection cases and seven deaths linked to COVID infection in the last seven days.

Japan plans to lift Covid restrictions for arrivals in the country on April 29 instead of the previously announced May 8.