A landmark flight from the city of Auckland arrives at Shanghai. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_01c0f79320c5]

As China enters its new phase of the COVID-19 response, the Civil Aviation Administration of China removed certain restrictions on international passenger flights starting on Jan 8.

Air New Zealand flight NZ289 from the city of Auckland landed at Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 6:31 am on Jan 8. This was the first international flight to enter China at Pudong Airport after the removal of the novel coronavirus restrictions.

The relaxations included no longer identifying high-risk inbound flights and scrapping a cap of a 75 percent passenger load factor for inbound flights.

Pudong Airport sets up several booths for Spring Festival souvenir purchases. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_01c0f79320c5]

In response, the Shanghai Airport Authority immediately began coordinated efforts with Shanghai Customs and the Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspections to restore the inbound arrival procedures at Pudong Airport.

As a result, the airport dismantled facilities emplaced for closed loop transportation overnight and restored previous procedures for inbound passengers, according to the Shanghai Airport Authority.

Retail outlets for shopping, dining and drinking along the international arrival area were reopened and the airport authority also set up several booths for Spring Festival souvenir purchases.

The relaxed cross-border traveling requirements come a day after the arrival of the Spring Festival travel rush, which started on Jan 7 this year.