Taiwan: Authorities tighten entry restrictions for several African countries from 00:01 Nov. 29 over new COVID-19 variant /update 57

Event

Taiwan plans to tighten entry restrictions for several African countries due to concerns over a new COVID-19 variant. Authorities will classify Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe as high-risk countries from 00:01 Nov. 29. 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. Crew members of Taiwanese airlines with the same travel history must also undergo a 14-day quarantine at government-designated hotels or company facilities, with similar PCR test arrangements and post-quarantine self-monitoring protocol.

Travel Restrictions
Most international arrivals must quarantine in government-designated facilities for 14 days. Authorities allow entrants from lower-risk locations to quarantine at their own expense in hotels; inbound passengers 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.

Officials continue to ban most foreign nationals without valid Alien Resident Certificates from entering Taiwan. Foreign spouses and children of Taiwanese citizens can apply for a visa to enter the island. Migrant workers from approved countries may also enter with strict testing and quarantine requirements. 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.

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.

Domestic Restrictions
Level-2 rules will remain in effect until Nov. 29 amid ongoing COVID-19 concerns. Recreational venues with hostess services can resume operations. Authorities are also progressively resuming entry for foreign migrant workers; those with approval from the Ministry of Labor must undergo RT-PCR testing and isolate alone for 72 hours before departure. They must also take an on-arrival COVID-19 test, quarantine for 14 days in a group quarantine facility, and undergo another test before leaving the facility. Workers exiting quarantine will face an additional 7-day self-isolation in a designated venue. The scheme benefits entrants from Indonesia as of Nov. 15; similar arrangements are possible in the coming days for other countries like the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

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 continue to permit employees to work from home when possible and stagger working hours. 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.

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