Travelling back to China from NZ. Process is clearly very standardized now. Boarding in Auckland, what immediately jumps out is we are the only gate in airport with staff fully decked out in hazmat gear. Plane half full per China requirement, no hot food served during flight. Pre-journey required to PCR test twice in 48 hours before flight, then apply for green health code in China Consulate in Auckland. More forms and QR codes to fill out at Auckland and Xiamen airports. Annoying, but relatively straightforward.

Flying out from Pudong airport today. Made a perilous escape from Shanghai. We were working from home Tuesday afternoon when we suddenly got a call from our compound manager, who knew we were flying out Friday, saying we had better get out ASAP. She hinted our street in Jing'an was about to go into lockdown. We didn't think too much of it but began packing so we would be ready to go if a notification came (they normally notify you several hours before implementing the lockdown).