DL287 returned to SEA due to changes in COVID restrictions mid-flight
 

The flight left Seattle on Dec 22 11:05PM PST, only to return after approximately nine hours in the air.
From the accounts of some pax onboard, the captain mentioned the reason for the turning back was changes in COVID restrictions in China. Although Chinese media is denying that, and claiming the crew would like to spend Christmas with their family was the reason for turning back.
The ATC recording only has the controller side of recordings, which the controller at the Anchorage center provided the pilot a list of waypoints back to SEA, and asked for the reason for turning back.