Taiwan to end mandatory COVID-19 quarantine for arrivals from Oct 13

Taiwan is set to remove the three day quarantine requirement for visitors on Oct 13, as part of the island’s ongoing efforts to reopen borders to the rest of the world.

On Sep 29, Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Centre (CECC) announced that arriving travellers will no longer be required to quarantine and will instead undergo a seven-day period of “self-initiated epidemic prevention” after arrival.

According to CECC, four rapid test kits will be given to travellers aged two and above on arrival. Travellers are advised to use the rapid tests on the day of arrival or the next day. They will also need to produce a negative result within 48 hours before leaving their place of accommodation during the seven day self-monitoring period. The test results will not be recorded.

During this period, visitors without COVID-19 symptoms can use public transportation. However, CECC said travellers should refrain from coming into contact with high risk individuals such as the elderly, avoid going to long-term care facilities, and wear a mask at all times when outside during these seven days. 

Other than lifting the three day quarantine, other restrictions will be amended such as the end of polymerase chain reaction tests on arrival and the weekly visitor cap being raised from 60,000 to 150,000 on a trial basis.

Taiwan recently resumed 30-day visa-free entry for certain countries including Singapore on Sep 29.