Taiwan is set to strengthen border controls amid the recent spike in coronavirus cases, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 17.
The country will bar the entry of foreign nationals without a valid alien resident certificate from midnight on May 19 to June 18, while visa application processing for foreign nationals will temporarily be halted, the MOFA said.
Entry of foreign nationals in possession of a valid visitor visa or resident visa will also be suspended in the meantime, the ministry said, adding that exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis for emergencies and on humanitarian grounds.
According to the MOFA, foreign nationals requiring entry to Taiwan for reasons such as attending a funeral or visiting a critically ill family member must obtain special permission from the Central Epidemic Command Center before applying for a special entry permit from the Taiwan office in their home country.
Further policy changes will be decided in conjunction with the CECC based on the situation at home and abroad, the MOFA added.
Latest CECC statistics reveal 2,017 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Taiwan and 12 deaths, with 1,123 patients still receiving treatment at hospitals countrywide. (DL-E)
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