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TAIPEI – Beginning Tuesday (December 1), all travelers entering Taiwan must have negative Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results.
The test must be carried out within three days after leaving the place of origin.
The Taiwan Epidemic Central Command Center (CECC) announced the new policy on November 18. Health Minister Chen Shih-chung cited the upcoming Christmas season and the influx of Taiwanese returning as reasons for the change.
Imported infections have risen since October due to an increase in the number of Taiwanese returning to the island as other parts of the world recover from the second and third waves of Covid-19 cases.
The CECC anticipates a new wave of infections in the coming months and hopes the new rule will help curb the spread of the virus.
Before this month, only foreigners were required to take the test and present proof of their negative results to enter the island. Taiwanese and those with permanent residency were exempt.
With the new policy, the CECC will allow exceptions only for those traveling to Taiwan for emergencies and certain types of work; for example, crew members on fishing vessels would find it difficult to obtain evidence on short notice.
Health authorities are also concerned about the uneven quality of PCR tests performed in different countries, which could lead to travelers with erroneous or false results.
Those who submit false test results upon arrival can face a fine of up to NT $ 150,000 (S $ 7,000), the CECC said Sunday.
If a traveler arrives from a country where a pre-flight test is not possible, Taiwan will allow him to pay for a test when he arrives, but airlines must arrange for said passenger to be seated in a separate section on board the plane. , away from others who have the proper test results.
As part of efforts to curb Covid-19, Dr. Chen also announced on Monday a ban on Indonesian migrant workers following an increase in the number of Covid-19 infections among them.
More than 70 Indonesians who came to Taiwan for work, mostly as domestic servants, have tested positive since early November.
The ban will go into effect on Friday (December 4) and will be in effect until at least December 18, when the CECC will decide whether to lift the restriction.
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