With steady easing of border measures, Taiwan to end quarantine and adopt 7-day self-initiated prevention policy for arrivals on October 13. Taiwan is all set to open its borders by ending mandatory COVID quarantine for arrivals from next week, the Government said.

As per the reports, the island has kept its borders largely closed, and imposed strict quarantine measures throughout the COVID pandemic, which helped it to keep the infection numbers lower, even at the expense of being internationally cut off. Also, if reports are to go by, the government started to shift from its zero-COVID strategy from April onward once its population was well vaccinated.

Currently, visitors are required to undergo a mandatory three-day hotel quarantine, which is then followed by four days of self-monitoring, where they are expected to avoid crowded places.

I. Weekly cap on arriving travelers:

In principle, the weekly cap will be 150,000 on a trial basis.

II. Quarantine duration:

The day of arrival counts as Day 0. A seven-day period of self-initiated prevention will be required.

1. Mandatory quarantine will be discontinued.
2. Arriving travelers will no longer be required to make a health declaration on the Quarantine System for Entry before arrival and to have a mobile phone with a Taiwanese number.
3. The COVID-19 Health Declaration and Home Quarantine Notice will no longer be issued to arriving travelers.
4. Electronic fencing and monitoring measures will be suspended, and home quarantine designation will no longer be marked in the National Health Insurance system. Home quarantine services from local governments will also be suspended.
5. Epidemic prevention rules to follow during the self-initiated prevention period:

In principle, arriving travelers should stay at home or a residence of a friend or family member or a hotel room that meets the requirement of “one person per room” (with a private bathroom) in the self-initiated prevention period.

During the self-initiated prevention period, arriving travelers should avoid coming into contact with persons who have a high risk of developing severe COVID-19 (including elderly people 65 and older, children under 6, and individuals who are immunocompromised or have a weak immune system).

Arriving travelers should rest at home if they experience symptoms. If they don’t experience symptoms, a negative result from an at-home rapid test taken within two days is required before they go out, go to work, or attend school. They should wear a mask at all times when outside.

Arriving travelers can dine alone or with specific persons in a restaurant if they need to eat when outside. They should immediately put on a mask when they leave their seat or finish eating. They can temporarily remove their mask when dining and should put on their mask after finishing their meal.

Arriving travelers cannot visit or stay with a hospitalized individual in a hospital. Non-urgent medical services or examinations should be postponed. Arriving travelers should avoid going to long-term care facilities.

Those with COVID-19 who have mild symptoms can receive home care at an enhanced quarantine hotel/government quarantine facility or the place where they undergo self-initiated prevention (general hotel not included).

III. Testing measures are listed below:

1. Four rapid test kits will be given to arriving travelers aged 2 and older by workers at international airports/ports upon arrival.
2. When to use rapid tests:

On the day of arrival or the first day of the self-initiated prevention period (D0/D1). 

Arriving travelers should take a rapid test and produce a negative result within two days before going out during the self-initiated prevention period.

Symptoms develop during this period.

The test results will not be recorded. Arriving travelers should follow the Self-initiated Prevention Guidelines if they test positive with a rapid test.

In consideration of the age limit on who can use at-home rapid test kits, children under two years of age will not be required to take rapid tests during the self-initiated prevention period.

VI. Transportation:

1. Travelers who have experienced any suspected COVID-19 symptoms in the 14 days before arrival should voluntarily report their symptoms to a Taiwan CDC quarantine officer at the airport/port. Such travelers should cooperate in undergoing a saliva test at the airport/port and follow instructions to take a quarantine vehicle according to assessments of quarantine officers.
2. Travelers without COVID-19 symptoms can take public transportation.
3. Visa-exempt entry scheme will be fully restored. Travelers from countries not granted visa-exemption treatment will be allowed to apply for visas to enter Taiwan for regular social visits and tourism. The ban on tour groups will also be lifted.