Taiwan: Officials requiring all entrants to quarantine at government-designated facilities as of June 28 /update 46

Event

Officials have tightened international quarantine measures over concerns about COVID-19 variants. As of June 28, all international arrivals are required to undergo 14-day quarantines in government-run facilities. While most arrivals can quarantine at their own expense in designated hotels, individuals with recent travel history in Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Peru, Israel, Indonesia, and the UK must quarantine in specific group facilities. Arrivals who have been in the designated countries must also undergo additional rounds of PCR COVID-19 tests at the beginning and end of their quarantine periods.

Officials extended Level 3 restrictions throughout Taiwan through at least July 12 amid ongoing COVID-19 activity. Under the controls, authorities ask residents to avoid all nonessential movements and gatherings. Individuals must wear facemasks in all public places. Officials limit indoor gatherings to five people and outdoor gatherings to 10 people. Many nonessential businesses, including bars, clubs, saunas, and internet cafes, are closed. Authorities have also implemented restrictions, including a one-hour time limit and ID number-based visits on weekends, for markets. Operating businesses must ensure social distancing by allowing employees to work from home when possible and staggering working hours. In-person classes remain suspended at schools. Individuals and organizations that violate business closure orders and restrictions on large gatherings face fines of up to NTD 300,000. Individuals violating facemask requirements may face fines up to NTD 15,000.

Thermal scanners remain in place at rail stations, airports, ports, post offices, and bus stations. Staff will deny entry to any passenger with a fever. Enhanced screening could cause delays at transport hubs across the island, especially at airports and main railway stations. Authorities have also halted on-site eating and drinking in some locations, including Hsinchu, New Taipei, Pingtu, Taipei, and Yilan.

Flights to mainland China remain restricted indefinitely; airlines can only fly to airports in Beijing (PEK), Shanghai (SHA, PVG), Xiamen (XMN), and Chengdu (CTU). Taiwan continues to ban cruise ships.

Additional Travel Restrictions
Foreign nationals without valid Alien Resident Certificates cannot enter Taiwan through at least July 12. Authorities also prevent noncitizens from international transit flights during the same period. Officials may grant exceptions to the entry ban for emergency humanitarian purposes.

Officials require most inbound passengers, including Taiwanese citizens and residents, to present a negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) COVID-19 test obtained within three business days of departure. Exceptions to testing requirements are possible in emergencies, but affected passengers must pay for a COVID-19 test upon arrival. All travelers seeking exemptions to pre-departure testing must provide supporting documents or face penalties.

All incoming passengers must submit proof that they have suitable accommodations for quarantine no more than 48 hours before departure. All inbound travelers who had COVID-19 symptoms within the previous 14 days must undergo a PCR test upon arrival and 24 hours later. Passengers who have been to the UK, South Africa, eSwatini, India, or Brazil within 14 days of arrival must follow self-health management procedures for seven days after self-quarantine. Passengers who do not accurately report their travel and medical history could face fines of up to NTD 150,000.

Advice

Confirm entry requirements before traveling to Taiwan. Follow all official instructions. Make allowances for business disruptions. Allow additional time for health screenings when arriving in or traveling across Taiwan. Consider delaying travel if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny, delays, and quarantine.

Resources

Taiwan Centers for Disease Control
Ministry of Health and Welfare Quarantine System for Entry