Like other Asian nations, Taiwan imposed strict border controls throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. However, from October 13, those controls are officially dropped. This means international travelers are once again welcome to visit. Read on to find out what is necessary when taking a vacation in Taiwan.
Taiwan drops border controls from today
After having some of the toughest border controls during the COVID-19 pandemic, from October 13, 2022, these are dropped.
Taiwan has strictly controlled its borders throughout the pandemic. From today, these requirements will be dropped. After more than two years of the pandemic, the country has finally reopened to international travelers.
Now, visitors to the self-ruled island no longer need to quarantine on arrival or to take any PCR tests. However, instead, travelers will need to take a rapid antigen test on arrival in Taiwan and produce a negative result. They will also be required to self-monitor their health for one week.
Tourism returns to Taipei
According to Taiwan’s tourism bureau, an estimated 244 tourists from around 20 tour groups arrived in the country on Thursday. While it will take a while to get back to “normal” tourism levels, Taiwan has, at least, made a start.
What are the latest rules for visitors to Taiwan?
Previously, all arrivals in the country had to undergo mandatory quarantine in hotels for three days, followed by four days of self-monitoring. However, as Taiwan reopens its borders on October 13, this has been scrapped.
International travelers who were able to enter the island nation without a visa prior to the pandemic, have now been able to do so since September 29. On top of this, the ban of tour groups has also been dropped.
President Tsai Ing-wen wrote on her Facebook page today, “It has finally come to the final moment of the pandemic,” adding:
Now, we must make every effort to revive tourism, stimulate the economy and lead Taiwan’s economy to develop by leaps and bounds.
She went on to thank all her colleagues and the Taiwanese people for their support throughout a troubling time.
However, while most restrictions have been dropped, anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 with their rapid antigen test on arrival will still need to quarantine in a hotel or at home.
Asia slowly reopens
The news comes as Japan and Hong Kong also relax their entry rules. Japan recently dropped its strict border controls in the hope of attracting a tourism boom. Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, is counting on tourism to aid the economy. This won’t be easy, as due to the pandemic, there is now a shortage of hospitality workers.
As for Hong Kong, it has also dropped its strict border regulations. However, the territory also needs to reboot its tourism industry. In fact, in an effort to attract international travelers, 500,000 free air tickets will soon be up for grabs. According to a spokesperson for the Airport Authority Hong Kong, the air tickets, worth around $254.8 million, will be offered to international travelers as well as residents.
However, China is still not in a position to welcome international visitors and anyone visiting right now would still face harsh quarantine policies.