On September 29, Taiwan, Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that effective 00:00 on October 13 (incoming flight’s scheduled arrival time), arriving travellers will no longer be required to quarantine and will instead undergo a seven-day period of self-initiated epidemic prevention after arrival.
Related border restrictions will also be lifted starting October 13.
Details are listed below.
I. Weekly cap on arriving travellers: in principle, the weekly cap will be 150,000 on a trial basis.
II. Quarantine duration: the day of arrival counts as Day 0. A seven-day period of self-initiated epidemic prevention will be required.
A. Mandatory quarantine will be discontinued.
B. Arriving travellers will no longer be required to make a health declaration on the Quarantine System for Entry before arrival and to have a mobile phone with a Taiwanese number.
C. The COVID-19 Health Declaration and Home Quarantine Notice will no longer be issued to arriving travellers.
D. Electronic fencing and monitoring measures will be suspended, and home quarantine designation will no longer be marked in the National Health Insurance system. Home quarantine services from local governments will also be suspended.
E. Epidemic prevention rules to follow during the self-initiated epidemic prevention period:
1. In principle, arriving travellers should stay at home or a residence of a friend or family member or a hotel room that meets the requirement of “one person per room” (with a private bathroom) during the self-initiated epidemic prevention period.
2. During the self-initiated epidemic prevention period, arriving travellers should avoid coming into contact with persons who have a high risk of developing severe COVID-19 (including elderly people 65 and older, children under 6, and individuals who are immunocompromised or have a weak immune system).
3. Arriving travellers should rest at home if they experience symptoms. If they don’t experience symptoms, a negative result from an at-home rapid test taken within two days is required before they go out, go to work, or attend school. They should wear a mask at all times when outside.
4. Arriving travellers can dine alone or with specific persons in a restaurant if they need to eat when outside. They should immediately put on a mask when they leave their seat or finish eating. They can temporarily remove their mask when dining and should put on their mask after finishing their meal.
5. Arriving travellers cannot visit or stay with a hospitalized individual in a hospital. Non-urgent medical services or examinations should be postponed. Arriving travellers should avoid going to long-term care facilities.
6. Those with COVID-19 who have mild symptoms can receive home care at an enhanced quarantine hotel/government quarantine facility or the place where they undergo self-initiated epidemic prevention (general hotel not included).
III. Testing measures are listed below.
A. Four rapid test kits will be given to arriving travellers aged 2 and older by workers at international airports/ports upon arrival.
B. When to use rapid tests:
1. On the day of arrival or the first day of the self-initiated epidemic prevention period (D0/D1).
2. Arriving travellers should take a rapid test and produce a negative result within two days before going out during the self-initiated epidemic prevention period.
3. Symptoms develop during this period.
4. The test results will not be recorded. Arriving travellers should follow the Self-initiated Epidemic Prevention Guidelines if they test positive with a rapid test.
5. In consideration of the age limit on who can use at-home rapid test kits, children under two years of age will not be required to take rapid tests during the self-initiated epidemic prevention period.
VI: Transportation
A. Travelers who have experienced any suspected COVID-19 symptoms in the 14 days before arrival should voluntarily report their symptoms to a Taiwan CDC quarantine officer at the airport/port. Such travellers should cooperate in undergoing a saliva test at the airport/port and follow instructions to take a quarantine vehicle according to assessments of quarantine officers.
B. Travelers without COVID-19 symptoms can take public transportation.
C. Visa-exempt entry scheme will be fully restored. Travellers from countries not granted visa-exemption treatment will be allowed to apply for visas to enter Taiwan for regular social visits and tourism. The ban on tour groups will also be lifted.
The CECC reiterated that arriving travellers should adhere to epidemic prevention measures as border restrictions are being lifted.
