Taiwan: Government to ease COVID-19 business travel restrictions from June 22 /update 13

Event

On Monday, June 15, the Taiwanese government announced that they will further ease some coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions and will allow arriving business travelers from lower-risk countries into the country from Monday, June 22. According to the Central Epidemic Command Center, business travelers will be permitted entry from the following countries judged as medium to low-risk: New Zealand, Australia, Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macau. Travelers will be required to inform authorities where they will be residing while in Taiwan and will have to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test dated no more than three days prior to travel.

Taiwanese authorities previously began lifting COVID-19 restrictions limiting the number of people who could participate in daily life and leisure events. Facemasks are required to be worn if people are unable to socially distance. A limited number of fans can also attend sports matches, and food services on trains have resumed.

As of June 17, there are 445 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, with seven associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus. Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.  
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.  
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.