As we
noted earlier, Taiwan has frequently adjusted its epidemic-related policies in the past few months. The Taiwanese government is taking more measures to embrace the upcoming post-COVID era.
Taiwan adopted strict border restrictions for more than two years in attempts to stave off the outbreak of the widely-spread COVID 19. With gradual easing beginning in April of this year, Taiwan has finally adopted a policy of coexisting with Covid rather than a zero- COVID policy. On October 13, 2022 the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) finally lifted the border restrictions for all international arrivals.
With such an ease of restrictions, the quarantine requirement no longer applies, but a seven-day period of “self-health management” is still required. This alternative to quarantine is commonly known as the “0+7” plan. According to the CECC, the following rules govern one’s activities during the 7-day self-health management:
- In principle, an arrival should stay at a single room at home, at private residences, or at a hotel;
- Arrivals should avoid contacting with persons who have high risk of developing severe COVID-19 (including people aged 65 and above, children aged 6 and under, and individuals who are immunocompromised or have a weak immune systems);
- Arrivals should rest at home if any symptoms appear. If they don't experience symptoms, a negative result from an at-home rapid test taken within two days is required before they can go to work or attend school;
- Arrivals can dine alone or with specific persons in a separate space in a restaurant. They should immediately put on a mask when they leave their seats or finish eating;
- Arrivals cannot visit or stay with a hospitalized individual. Non-urgent medical services or examinations should be postponed. Arriving travelers should avoid going to long-term care facilities;
- Arrivals with COVID-19 who have mild symptoms can receive home care at a quarantine hotel or the place where they stay during the self-health management.
Airports in Taiwan also modified relevant measures in response to the reopening border. Shopping and dining is now permitted and inbound health certificates are no longer needed. Following the border reopening, visa-exempt entry has been fully reinstated as of this September for nationals of eligible countries (such as US and UK), who enter Taiwan to engage in activities that do not require a permit, such as tourism. Full details can be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (
https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-149-4486-7785a-2.html). It is expected that the tourism and relevant industries, which were greatly affected during the past two years, will gradually recover with the removal of border restriction.
In addition, according to the CECC’s announcement on October 24, 2022, the mandatory requirement that people shall receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster (third dose) or take a rapid test to participate in activities such as religious events, group tours, exercising in gyms, or entering eight types of adult entertainment venues will be lifted from November 7, 2022; and the mandatory requirement under which people must take the temperature when entering commercial business venues and public venues will also be lifted from the same date.
Though the restrictions of quarantine and epidemic-related policies have been gradually changed, the CECC reiterated that the mask policy in Taiwan still persists. The CECC will determine whether to ease the mask policy in November.
The CECC still recommends that people should be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to the expected date of an overseas flight since the risk of COVID-19 transmission remains high.
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