COVID-19 Restrictions Lifted! Foreign Nationals' Entry to Taiwan Relaxed in March, Business Travelers May Have Quarantine Period Shortened

According to a press release from the Central News Agency, the Central Epidemic Command Center of the Republic of China announced yesterday (the 24th) that, considering the COVID-19 pandemic and the needs of business and trade exchanges, from midnight on March 1, ROC Year 110, conditional entry for non-nationals into Taiwan and transit operations at Taoyuan Airport will be resumed.

The Command Center stated that the relevant regulations include: non-nationals holding a valid residence permit may enter. Foreign nationals without a residence permit, except for tourism and general social visits, may apply to the overseas offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a special entry permit if they are academics or businesspeople.

For people from mainland China (including Hong Kong and Macau), those holding a residence permit, those for humanitarian considerations and emergency assistance (such as attending funerals, visiting seriously ill relatives, etc.), mainland Chinese spouses and minor children of nationals, mainland Chinese spouses and minor children of foreign residents in the Taiwan-Penghu-Kinmen-Matsu region (accompanying family reunification), students approved by the Ministry of Education, international medical personnel approved by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and those with special project approval may all enter.

As for people from 11 low-risk and 4 medium-low-risk countries and regions who can enter Taiwan for short-term business, they may apply for a shortened home quarantine, and foreign nationals are allowed to come to Taiwan for medical treatment under conditions, including:

• Low-risk countries and regions: New Zealand, Macau, Palau, Fiji, Brunei, Laos, Nauru, East Timor, Mauritius, Marshall Islands, and Bhutan.
• Medium-low-risk countries and regions: Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

In addition, the Command Center also announced the resumption of the Taoyuan Airport transit plan proposed by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications. Travelers must take flights operated by the same airline group, and the transit stay is limited to within 8 hours; in-flight seating separation for transit passengers, route diversion after disembarking, and food and shopping are provided under the full supervision of dedicated personnel. If there are flight delays or abnormal passenger health conditions, contingency plans have also been prepared.

The Command Center pointed out that to ensure domestic epidemic prevention safety, strict border risk management will continue to be implemented. Non-nationals boarding flights to enter Taiwan or those who need to transit through airports in various parts of the Republic of China must present a “COVID-19 nucleic acid test negative report within 3 days before the scheduled flight time (Flight schedule time)” before boarding to come to Taiwan.

Travelers entering the Republic of China should arrange their quarantine residence in advance (quarantine hotel or one-person-one-household home quarantine), and must complete the online health declaration on the “Entry Quarantine System” and sign an affidavit confirming compliance with the relevant regulations.