TAIPEI: Taiwan and the tiny Pacific island nation of Palau launched a travel bubble on Apr 1 to promote tourism, in recognition of their success in stamping out the pandemic locally.
Passengers must take a polymerase chain reaction test for the Covid-19 before boarding their flights but won’t be required to undergo quarantine.
Taiwanese Health Minister Chen Shih-chung stated the bubble was made possible because “both sides have controlled the epidemic well”.
Palau President Surangel Whipps is in Taipei for the inaugural flight, wrapping up a five-day visit to Taiwan.
Palau is one of only 15 nations that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which China claims as its territory with no right diplomatic recognition. China has banned its citizens from visiting Palau.
According to the Tourism Bureau, there are 96 travelers onboard the first tourist flight for a four-day tour in Palau.
