New border control and quarantine regulations for foreign nationals entering Taiwan were announced Dec. 30 by the Central Epidemic Command Center as part of government efforts to safeguard public health amid COVID-19.
The changes, set to take effect from midnight at airports of departure Jan. 1, 2021, restrict entry to four categories of foreign nationals: Alien Resident Certificate holders; personnel on diplomatic or official business, persons who can prove they are fulfilling commercial and contractual obligations, or persons admitted for special humanitarian reasons; and spouses and minor children of ROC (Taiwan) nationals or ARC holders; and other persons requiring special permission.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, foreign nationals who obtained special entry permits on or before Dec. 30, 2020, from the country’s overseas missions will still be admitted to the country.
Additional measures will be implemented from midnight Jan. 15, 2021, the MOFA said, adding that arrivals must provide proof of the location of their intended quarantine. For those who choose to quarantine at home, an affidavit declaring they have met the requirement of one person per residence is required, the ministry added.
The original requirement of providing a COVID-19 RT-PCR test report issued within three days of boarding is still necessary, the MOFA said, adding that the CECC will further adjust entry and quarantine rules in response to global pandemic developments and the effectiveness of response measures.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said “#Taiwan is adjusting entry & quarantine rules for nonnationals in response to the risk posed by #COVID19 worldwide. Effective Jan. 1, 2021, only those meeting 4 criteria will be permitted to enter the country. Read our release on the CECC announcement.” (YCH-E)
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