Taiwan: Authorities to modify and extend Level-2 COVID-19 restrictions islandwide through Nov. 15 /update 55

Event

Authorities in Taiwan have extended Level-2 rules until Nov. 15 amid ongoing COVID-19 concerns. Some relaxations will apply from Nov. 2; these include lifting of capacity limits for gatherings, public places, commercial venues, as well as participants in cultural and sports events. Nightclubs, bars, and beauty parlors without hostess services may also reopen. Officials will further ease facemask requirements from Nov. 2; those singing, involved in water activities like visiting hot springs, or eating on transport services and in permitted venues such as internet cafes and cinemas may forgo facemasks.

However, companies must continue to permit employees to work from home when possible and stagger working hours. Current exemptions for wearing facemasks will remain; they include people exercising outdoors, taking photos indoors or outdoors, eating or drinking outdoors, as well as workers in outdoor spaces in specific industries, and people visiting forests, mountains, and beaches to forego facemasks. Exempt individuals must wear masks if crowds materialize nearby or if social distancing is impossible. 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.

Stricter Level-2 curbs are active through Nov. 1. Officials are capping indoor and outdoor gatherings at 80 and 300 people, respectively. Businesses must limit capacity to one person per 2.25 square meters (24 square feet) indoors and one person per square meter (10 square feet) outdoors. 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.

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
Most foreign nationals without valid Alien Resident Certificates remain banned from entering Taiwan. Foreign spouses and children of Taiwan citizens can apply for a visa to enter the island. 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 India, Myanmar, and the UK must quarantine in specific group facilities. Entrants arriving from Bangladesh, Brazil, and Peru may choose to quarantine at a government-designated hotel or facility at their own cost. 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 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