A customs officer checks passengers' health information at Pudong International Airport in Shanghai. [Photo by Yin Liqin/China News Services]

Shanghai now allows inbound travelers to do a seven-day hotel quarantine plus a seven-day home quarantine after arriving in the municipality, a change from the current 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine, the city authority announced on July 23.

The new quarantine policy, which will take effect from July 27, will apply to those whose destination is within the city and who have a fixed residence venue. People living in the same apartment with them are also subject to mandatory home quarantine for seven days.

Upon requesting home quarantine, the applicant needs to take a nucleic acid test on the fifth day of a hotel quarantine. Before completing the home quarantine, the individual needs to take the test one more time together with his or her family members.

Travelers who do not satisfy the conditions for home quarantine or do not want a home quarantine will complete the 14-day quarantine at hotels, according to the new measure.

Completing 14 days of quarantine at home applies to travelers not fit for hotel quarantine, such as the elderly, minors, pregnant women, those with disabilities, or those who need to care for their elderly parents and young children at home. After passing the nucleic acid test upon arrival and being reviewed to qualify for home quarantine, such travelers can apply to complete the 14-day quarantine at home.