QUARANTINE ESSENTIALS FOR NEW TEACHERS IN CHINA

There is already plenty of great advice out there for how to pack and prepare for your journey to China. However, the COVID 19 pandemic dramatically changed the reality of coming to China. One of the biggest changes is the mandatory fourteen days quarantine all foreigners now face on arrival. Do not panic! The time can fly by, if you bring the things you love that are going to make it easier for you. Your quarantine hotel may allow you to get deliveries from local supermarkets or Taobao, but this is not going to be guaranteed and you’re not going to know until arrive. Of course, your arrival team is always going to be on hand to help you with whatever you need, but the amount of help they can give you with deliveries is far from certain before arrival. So make sure you’re ready for those two weeks!

Make sure you have all the documents you will need for your journey on hand. You are going to need them, and the officials are going to ask for them. COVID has given you a few more to keep track of. The COVID test results and the all-important health codes are a couple of the new ones. Make sure to keep your smartphone charged as plenty COVID health codes are only available online. A powerpack or portable charger would be a great idea.

A laptop, smartphone and chargers are obviously a must, as EF will be giving you plenty of onboarding to keep you busy over the two weeks and you’re going to need to find fun ways to pass the rest of the time. Research what the plugs look like in China and make sure you have at least of couple of plug adapters. EF will give you one, but not until after quarantine.

WeChat and your EF account are going to be essential. Alipay and Taobao will be to once you leave quarantine. Remember, the internet can be very different in China, but your recruiter can help you find ways to navigate it.

If you need medication, make sure you bring a good supply of with you. Getting any medicine delivered in the first place is not a certainty and getting the specific medicine you need in China isn’t always easy. A lot of the brand names you’re used to can’t be found in China or can only be found under their Chinese names. Even when you leave quarantine, all over the counter medicines, right down to something as simple as paracetamol, can only be found in hospitals and pharmacies. So, stock up now!

Normally, bringing a lot of toiletries would just be a waste of space in your bag as most items you’re likely to need can be found easily in China. These are not normal times though. You’re going to be spending two weeks in quarantine and chances are you will be able to get deliveries of essentials, but that is not guaranteed. It’s a good idea to bring two weeks’ worth of anything that is essential to you. The quarantine hotel will probably provide body wash, shampoo, and toothpaste, but anything else you feel you need is down to you. That means shaving foam and razors, nail clippers, deodorant, etc.

Feminine hygiene products are something to think about. In China, sanitary pads are the standard, so if you prefer to use tampons or other products, bringing a supply that lasts even beyond the quarantine is a good idea.