Taiwan: Authorities extend Level-2 restrictions islandwide through Aug. 23 due to COVID-19 /update 49

Event

Authorities in Taiwan have extended Level-2 rules islandwide through Aug. 23, with slight easing, due to continued COVID-19 activity. Several facilities, including community colleges, daycare facilities, learning centers for senior citizens, and swimming pools, can reopen from Aug. 10. Indoor and outdoor gatherings remain capped at 50 and 100 people, respectively. Arcades, internet cafes, and entertainment venues, like bars, karaoke parlors, and nightclubs remain closed. Wearing facemasks in all public places is still compulsory.

Operating businesses must continue to limit capacity to one person per 2.25 square meters (24 square feet) indoors and one person per square meter (10 square feet) outdoors. Companies must permit employees to work from home when possible and stagger working hours. Outdoor recreation areas can operate at 40-percent capacity and some fitness facilities at 25-percent capacity; group classes can occur with testing measures in place. Local governments can adjust measures depending on COVID-19 activity. Individuals and organizations that violate business closure orders and gatherings rules face fines of up to NTD 300,000. Individuals violating facemask requirements may face fines up to NTD 15,000.

Thermal scanners remain in 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. 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.

Travel Restrictions
Foreign nationals without valid Alien Resident Certificates remain banned from entering Taiwan. Authorities also prevent noncitizens from boarding international transit flights; exceptions are possible for emergency humanitarian purposes. Officials require most inbound passengers to present a negative PCR COVID-19 test obtained within three business days of departure. Exceptions 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. Inbound travelers who had COVID-19 symptoms within the previous 14 days must undergo a PCR test upon arrival and 24 hours later.

Taiwan continues to require international arrivals to quarantine for 14 days in government-designated facilities. Most entrants can quarantine at their own expense in hotels, and inbound passengers must submit proof that they have suitable accommodations no more than 48 hours before departure. 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 testing at the beginning and end of their quarantine periods. 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