In consideration of the severity of COVID-19 worldwide and given that vaccination doesn’t provide 100% protection, and the vaccination coverage rate is not high in Taiwan, travelers who enter or transit through Taiwan and have received COVID-19 vaccination are still required to present a COVID-19 RT-PCR test report and to comply with home quarantine requirements as well as other related rules after entry in order to prevent COVID-19 and protect vulnerable populations in Taiwan.

Starting December 1, Malawi, Mozambique, Egypt, and Nigeria to be put on CECC’s list of key high-risk countries; travelers from those four countries to be required to quarantine in group quarantine facility

On November 29, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) reported that the new coronavirus variant Omicron is spreading globally and is highly transmissible and that cases of Omicron have been detected in some countries among individuals arriving from Malawi, Mozambique, Egypt, and Nigeria, where there are signs of the virus spreading and thus there is a higher risk of transmission based on related assessments. The CECC announced that beginning 00:00 on December 1 (arrival time), travelers who have visited the four countries in the last 14 days (transits included) will be required to quarantine in group quarantine facilities for 14 days after arrival and to undergo PCR tests (upon checking in and at the end of quarantine) for COVID-19; they will also be required to practice an additional 7-day self-health management (a COVID-19 rapid test using a home test kit on the sixth or seventh day). Such travelers will not be required to pay group quarantine facility accommodation and testing fees, and the 7+7+7 and 10+4+7 quarantine programs for the Lunar New Year don’t apply. Furthermore, flight crew members of Taiwanese airlines returning to Taiwan from “key high-risk countries”(transits included) will be required to undergo quarantine in a quarantine hotel or a company dormitory that meets related regulations for 14 days and take PCR tests upon arrival in Taiwan and at the end of their quarantine period. Such crew members will also be required to practice an additional 7-day self-health management.

The CECC pointed out that the list of “key high-risk countries” currently includes the following ten countries: South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Egypt, and Nigeria (the last four countries are newly added).

https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Bulletin/Detail/cHa16WYtH2YdPtVDeJ_pLw?typeid=158
(Updated on Dec. 1, 2021)

Starting November 29, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe to be put on CECC’s list of key high-risk countries; travelers from those six countries to be required to quarantine in group quarantine facilities

On November 26, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) reported that the new COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529 is spreading globally and is highly transmissible. The CECC announced that to reduce of the risk of the variant entering the community in Taiwan, it would add South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe to its list of key high-risk countries starting 00:00 on November 29, 2021 (time of arrival in Taiwan). Details about related quarantine measures are listed below.

Beginning 00:00 on November 29 (arrival time), travelers who have visited the six countries in the last 14 days (transits included) will be required to quarantine in group quarantine facilities for 14 days after arrival and to undergo PCR tests (upon checking in and at the end of quarantine) for COVID-19; they will also be required to practice an additional 7-day self-health management (a COVID-19 rapid test using a home test kit on the sixth or seventh day). Such travelers will not be required to pay group quarantine facility accommodation and testing fees, and the 7+7+7 and 10+4+7 quarantine programs for the Lunar New Year don’t apply. Furthermore, flight crew members of Taiwanese airlines returning to Taiwan from “key high-risk countries”(transits included) will be required to undergo quarantine in a quarantine hotel or a company dormitory that meets related regulations for 14 days and take PCR tests upon arrival in Taiwan and at the end of their quarantine period. Such crew members will also be required to practice an additional 7-day self-health management.

https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Bulletin/Detail/ZN3GZfrNVeWJwUVziC-x1g?typeid=158
(Updated on Dec. 1, 2021)

Recommendations on second dose of BNT COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents aged 12-17

On November 29, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) pointed out that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) at the Ministry of Health and Welfare held an expert meeting on November 28 to discuss the second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT) COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents aged 12-17. After the meeting, the ACIP recommends that adolescents aged 12-17 who have received their first dose of BNT and didn’t experience serious adverse reactions get their second dose, and a minimum interval of 12 weeks is recommended between the first and second dose. The CECC and local health departments will make further arrangements to provide a second dose of BNT to adolescents aged 12-17 at schools.

https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Bulletin/Detail/YPIDZwC4HjqBMtGi4jynHQ?typeid=158
(Updated on Dec. 1, 2021)

Nationwide epidemic alert to remain at Level 2 from November 30 to December 13; CECC announces epidemic prevention and control measures and precautions for year-end/New Year countdown events and large-scale events and urges public to continue following related measures

As the pandemic has continued to subside and the situation is under control in Taiwan, after discussions with relevant agencies and assessments, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced on November 30 that it will maintain the Level 2 epidemic alert, effective from November 30 to December 13. Details about adjustments to related regulations and general principles are listed below.

A. The current mask-wearing rule, which requires masks to be worn at all times when outside, remains unchanged with the exceptions listed below (not changed).
a. In the following situations, people are not be required to wear a mask, but they should carry a mask with them. Masks are still required if COVID-19 symptoms are present and social distancing cannot be maintained.
1. When exercising or singing indoors or outdoors;
2. When taking individual/group photos indoors and outdoors;
3. When livestreaming, filming, moderating an event, reporting news, delivering remarks, giving a speech, lecturing, or during activities or events involving conversations with others;
4. When people in the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and animal husbandry sectors work in open spaces (such as farm fields, fish ponds, forests and mountains);
5.When people are in forests/mountains (including forest recreation areas) and on the beach;
6. When people are in hot/cold springs, dry sauna rooms, spas, steam rooms, saunas, during water activities, or in venues where masks can get wet easily.

b. Masks may be removed when consuming food/beverages.

c. Masks may be temporarily removed for venues or activities that comply with the CECC’s or competent authority’s epidemic prevention regulations

B. Commercial business venues and public venues should implement contact information registration, take temperatures, enhance disinfection of premises, carry out health management among staff, and implement timely responses to the occurrence of confirmed cases.

The CECC pointed out that in response to the threat posed by the new variant Omicron, strict disease prevention and management measures should be followed and harsh penalties may be imposed for any violation as related large events tend to attract crowds, with people standing or sitting in close proximity to random people for extended periods of time. Event organizers and the public must abide by the precautions and measures listed below.
A. Event organizers should abide by level 2 alert measures announced by the CECC and related disease prevention regulations of local governments for large-scale events.
a. Event organizers shall provide ample supplies of hand sanitization products, clean and sanitize public restrooms more frequently, and have medical responsive measures in place.
b. Except for within designated food vendor areas, no sales of food or beverages in the venue.
c. No standing tickets shall be sold for indoor events; event organizers shall implement contact information registration, designate fixed entrances, and take participants’ temperature and disinfect their hands before they enter the venue.

B. Participants shall wear a mask all the time throughout the event and shall not consume food except for the purpose of staying hydrated.
a. Persons moderating, performing, or delivering remarks are not required to wear a mask when filming or doing the above activities. The exemption that a mask is not required when eating (for the purpose of staying hydrated not included) or taking photos does not apply to other individuals and participants.
b. Event organizers may set up a designated eating area where participants can remove their mask to eat with the approval of local governments. The area should implement contact information registration and take participants’ temperatures and disinfect their hands. Eating while walking and free food sampling are not allowed.
c. Those who refuse to comply with the above regulations after being advised are subject to penalties imposed by local governments according to the Communicable Disease Control Act.

People under home quarantine or home isolation, people subjected to self-health management, and people (event performers and staff included) who are experiencing suspected symptoms, including a fever, respiratory symptoms, diarrhea, and an abnormal sense of smell and taste may not attend related events. Violators will be subject to a heavier penalty.

https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Bulletin/Detail/EIR_4ji8AdqnvtO7Eyh92w?typeid=158
(Updated on Dec. 1, 2021)