Taiwan: Authorities to tighten COVID-19 measures for entrants from mainland China starting Jan. 1 /update 78

Event

The government in Taiwan will tighten rules for entrants from mainland China effective Jan. 1. Passengers arriving on direct flights from mainland China, as well as from Taiwan's outlying Kinmen and Matsu islands must undergo on-arrival COVID-19 testing. They must also self-monitor their health at their accommodation for seven days by taking rapid antigen tests (RAT) every 48 hours. The measures will remain at least until Jan. 31; extensions are possible. Authorities continue to ban the entry of tourists from mainland China.

Domestic Measures
Eased domestic COVID-19 measures continue. Facemasks will no longer be mandatory outdoors and in open spaces, other than on public transport. Individuals in private vehicles also do not need to wear facemasks if traveling alone or with household members. Facemasks will continue to be compulsory in indoor settings, with approved exceptions like sports competitions, exercise, and singing, among others. Residents are advised to carry a facemask when leaving home. Individuals violating facemask requirements may face fines up to NTD 15,000. Local governments can adjust measures depending on COVID-19 activity.

The self-quarantine period for locally acquired COVID-19 cases is five days. People that receive a negative RAT result on day five do not have to practice self-health management. Individuals that test positive must practice self-health management until they receive a negative RAT result or reach seven days of self-quarantine.

Household contacts of COVID-19 cases do not have to self-quarantine, but they must continue self-health monitoring for seven days. Asymptomatic close contacts can continue to enter the public provided they have a negative RAT result within the previous 48 hours.

Workers in high-risk industries, such as healthcare employees, aircrew, police, and teachers, no longer need to have a third vaccine dose or receive a negative RAT result. 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. Companies must continue to permit employees to work from home when possible and stagger working hours. Visitors to entertainment venues, like bars and nightclubs, must present a COVID-19 vaccine pass proving they are fully vaccinated to enter the premises. Individuals and organizations that violate business closure orders and gatherings rules face fines of up to NTD 300,000.

International Travel Restrictions
Taiwan permits entry without quarantine for approved entrants. However, arrivals must conduct seven-day self-health monitoring; travelers should wear facemasks in public and take a RAT every 48 hours. Recent arrivals must limit exposure to high-risk people and cannot visit medical facilities for non-urgent care, with exceptions.

Officials permit cruise ships. However, flights to mainland China remain restricted indefinitely; airlines can only fly to airports in Beijing (PEK), Shanghai (SHA, PVG), Xiamen (XMN), and Chengdu (CTU).

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Allow additional time for health screenings when arriving in or traveling across Taiwan.

Resources

Taiwan Centers for Disease Control