Taiwan: Authorities modify quarantine rules for arrivals from Dec. 14 amid extended domestic COVID-19 curbs /update 59

Event

Taiwan is imposing modified quarantine rules for entrants from Dec. 14-Feb. 14. The quarantine period for all inbound passengers is 14 days, followed by seven days of self-monitoring. Under Program A, individuals must spend 14 days in hotel quarantine. Those under Program B may quarantine for 10 days in a hotel and four days at home. Fully vaccinated people may quarantine for seven days in a self-paid government facility or hotel, and seven days at home under Program C; arrivals from Feb. 6 may not avail of government facilities. Rooms at government facilities cost NTD 1,500 per night. Home quarantine is only applicable if all other household members are fully vaccinated.

Arrivals must submit an online Quarantine System for Entry form within 48 hours before arrival. They must also hold negative results of a COVID-19 PCR test taken within three days prior to departure, instead of three working days. Additional tests are compulsory upon arrival, at the end of facility quarantine, as well as during and at the end of home quarantine.

Domestic Measures
Authorities are extending ongoing Level-2 rules until at least Dec. 27 amid ongoing COVID-19 concerns. 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. Recreational venues with hostess services may operate. Companies must continue to permit employees to work from home when possible and stagger working hours. Officials have mandated workers in at least 24 sectors such as childcare facilities, recreational venues like dance halls and swimming complexes, as well as educational institutions to complete vaccination at least two weeks before Jan. 1 or undergo routine COVID-19 testing thereafter.

Facemasks remain mandatory in public. Exemptions include people exercising outdoors, engaging in water activities like visiting hot springs, taking photos indoors or outdoors, singing or delivering speeches, and workers in outdoor spaces in specific industries. People visiting forests, mountains, and beaches as well as those eating or drinking outdoors, on transport services, or in permitted venues like cinemas may also 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.

Travel Restrictions
Taiwan is imposing entry restrictions for several African countries due to concerns over a new COVID-19 variant. Authorities classify Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe as high-risk countries as of Dec. 13. All permitted arrivals with travel history, including transits, in the affected countries in the previous 14 days must undergo a two-week quarantine in specific group facilities and PCR tests at the beginning and end of their quarantine periods. Individuals must also follow self-monitoring protocols for seven days after their quarantine. The rule also applies to crew members of Taiwanese airlines with the mentioned travel history.

Officials continue to ban most foreign nationals without valid Alien Resident Certificates from entering Taiwan. Noncitizens are also barred from boarding international transit lights except for emergency humanitarian reasons. Foreign spouses and children of Taiwanese citizens and residents can apply for a visa to enter the island. Migrant workers from Indonesia may also enter with strict testing and quarantine requirements such as an on-arrival test, 14-day quarantine at a facility that ends with a COVID-19 test, and an additional 7-day self-isolation period in a designated venue. Migrant workers from additional countries may be allowed to enter in the coming days.

Authorities require most inbound passengers to present a negative PCR COVID-19 test obtained within three days of departure. Exceptions are possible in emergencies, but affected passengers must pay for a COVID-19 test upon arrival. Those 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.

Most international arrivals must quarantine for 14 days. Inbound passengers opting for home quarantine must submit proof that they have suitable accommodations no more than 48 hours before departure. Passengers who do not accurately report their travel and medical history could face fines of up to NTD 150,000.

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.

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