Taiwan closed to all foreign visitors as of 19 Mar 2020
Dec 4, 2021, 7:46 am
#181
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 269
Taiwan is also large enough to be self sustaining, Singapore is a poor choice to compare it with as they had to open or end up slowly dying like Hong Kong currently is.
We are now booked to visit Taiwan in October 2022, 3rd time is the charm?
Dec 5, 2021, 5:02 am
#182
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: BA Gold, TK Elite Plus, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 142
Taiwan is organising Computex for end of May 2022. It is one of the largest computer and technology trade shows in the world. They also said that they would start opening when double vaccination reached 70% (though they may change their minds after Omicron). They are now at 58 % (according to the NYT). One can only hope next year we'll be able to go back to the Beautiful Island... 
Dec 5, 2021, 7:11 am
#183
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: TPE, SFO, PAE
Posts: 862
Taiwan is organising Computex for end of May 2022. It is one of the largest computer and technology trade shows in the world. They also said that they would start opening when double vaccination reached 70% (though they may change their minds after Omicron). They are now at 58 % (according to the NYT). One can only hope next year we'll be able to go back to the Beautiful Island...
As for Computex, they can easily expand the current special entry permits to exhibitors and buyers while keeping other travel out.
Dec 5, 2021, 7:17 am
#184
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,481
I am not sure there will be too many takers if Taiwan opens up to foreigners yet subject them to the same 14+7 quarantine. The first 14 days must be in either government run quarantine facilities or designated quarantine hotels. The next 7 days are better yet you cannot attend any group function, such as meetings or trade shows, nor can you go to restaurants. Therefore, Computex attendees, if they are allowed in, must arrive at least 21 days prior to event under current rules. Oh there are currently 35,000 quarantine hotel rooms while Computex has more than 100,000 attendees.
Last edited by TerryK; Dec 5, 2021 at 7:29 am
Dec 5, 2021, 8:52 am
#185
Join Date: May 2000
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 1K 2.7MM, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, IHG Spire
Posts: 3,317
True. But the question is not if they are allowed in or not. The issue is if they are subject to 14+7 day quarantine or not. Millions of Taiwanese, who are eligible for entry, are kept out of Taiwan as they either don't want to subject to quarantine or unable to find suitable quarantine hotels.
I am not sure there will be too many takers if Taiwan opens up to foreigners yet subject them to the same 14+7 quarantine. The first 14 days must be in either government run quarantine facilities or designated quarantine hotels. The next 7 days are better yet you cannot attend any group function, such as meetings or trade shows, nor can you go to restaurants. Therefore, Computex attendees, if they are allowed in, must arrive at least 21 days prior to event under current rules. Oh there are currently 35,000 quarantine hotel rooms while Computex has more than 100,000 attendees.
I am not sure there will be too many takers if Taiwan opens up to foreigners yet subject them to the same 14+7 quarantine. The first 14 days must be in either government run quarantine facilities or designated quarantine hotels. The next 7 days are better yet you cannot attend any group function, such as meetings or trade shows, nor can you go to restaurants. Therefore, Computex attendees, if they are allowed in, must arrive at least 21 days prior to event under current rules. Oh there are currently 35,000 quarantine hotel rooms while Computex has more than 100,000 attendees.
Dec 5, 2021, 7:07 pm
#186
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,481
Dec 6, 2021, 1:49 am
#187
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
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My hunch is that Taiwan will eventually do what Singapore is doing . . . . require preflight testing, vaccinated travel lanes, then immediate testing upon entry and short isolation while waiting for results (4-6 hours). These are very sensible approaches that catch almost every case of incoming covid, which are few already given the pre-departure testing. I don't think that it's feasible for Taiwan to remain this closed off to the world, and the leadership and population will eventually realize this. What people are willing to put up with for a while wanes as they find themselves increasingly unable to travel and host international friends/family/business colleagues without these extreme measures.
Dec 6, 2021, 2:48 am
#188
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: TPE, SFO, PAE
Posts: 862
True. But the question is not if they are allowed in or not. The issue is if they are subject to 14+7 day quarantine or not. Millions of Taiwanese, who are eligible for entry, are kept out of Taiwan as they either don't want to subject to quarantine or unable to find suitable quarantine hotels.
I am not sure there will be too many takers if Taiwan opens up to foreigners yet subject them to the same 14+7 quarantine. The first 14 days must be in either government run quarantine facilities or designated quarantine hotels. The next 7 days are better yet you cannot attend any group function, such as meetings or trade shows, nor can you go to restaurants. Therefore, Computex attendees, if they are allowed in, must arrive at least 21 days prior to event under current rules. Oh there are currently 35,000 quarantine hotel rooms while Computex has more than 100,000 attendees.
Given all these are not for actually preventing/mitigating COVID risks, TW government can just expand the shortened quarantine for business travelers from certain low risk countries to Computex attendees.
Dec 6, 2021, 3:49 am
#189
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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That is the ridiculous part. Quarantine itself while inconvenient, at least it's effective. Mandatory hotel quarantine just puts everyone in dormitories with central AC and no window. Probably as effective as having the chemical corps spreading disinfectant on the ground to prevent an airborne virus.
The 3rd week is actually much better and not quarantine at all. You *should* avoid meetings and trade shows but *can* if these meetings are *important*. You can also go to restaurants and dine with others, as long as you don't go with friends and family (but if they go to the same restaurant separately, then it's ok),
Given all these are not for actually preventing/mitigating COVID risks, TW government can just expand the shortened quarantine for business travelers from certain low risk countries to Computex attendees.
The 3rd week is actually much better and not quarantine at all. You *should* avoid meetings and trade shows but *can* if these meetings are *important*. You can also go to restaurants and dine with others, as long as you don't go with friends and family (but if they go to the same restaurant separately, then it's ok),
Given all these are not for actually preventing/mitigating COVID risks, TW government can just expand the shortened quarantine for business travelers from certain low risk countries to Computex attendees.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/05/healt...day/index.html
For the first time in two months, the US is averaging more than 100,000 new Covid-19 cases each day, shortly after millions of Americans traveled for the Thanksgiving holiday.
The seven-day moving average of new cases was 121,437 as of Saturday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University (JHU). Prior to this week, the US last topped the 100,000-cases-a-day mark in early October.
The seven-day moving average of new cases was 121,437 as of Saturday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University (JHU). Prior to this week, the US last topped the 100,000-cases-a-day mark in early October.
Dec 6, 2021, 6:29 am
#190
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: TPE, SFO, PAE
Posts: 862
Is there a list? If so, I wonder if the US is on it. COVID cases are now back over 100,000/day...
https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/05/healt...day/index.html
https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/05/healt...day/index.html
The low risk countries are Nauru, Marshall Islands, Palau, Bhutan, HK, and Macau. There are currently no medium risk country. Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Vietnam used to be on the list before they pivoted from 0-COVID.
If you are interested, here is the regulations regarding that: Regulations concerning short-term business travelers applications for shortened quarantine periods in Taiwan-20210416.pdf (cdc.gov.tw)
Dec 6, 2021, 8:50 am
#191
formerly wunderpit
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ONT-SNA-LAX
Programs: UA1K-HHDiamond
Posts: 1,339
Like someone said earlier, we are going to have to live with a certain amount of Covid, but there will be therapeutics and “pills“ that will help liken it to a cold or flu.
Dec 6, 2021, 5:03 pm
#192
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,882
That is the ridiculous part. Quarantine itself while inconvenient, at least it's effective. Mandatory hotel quarantine just puts everyone in dormitories with central AC and no window. Probably as effective as having the chemical corps spreading disinfectant on the ground to prevent an airborne virus.
Taiwan has not been on the forefront of "living with the virus" and I don't see that changing no matter how inconvenient that is for us. I would be happy to see 7 day quarantine for vaccinated travelers as a start. Heck I'll settle for 7+3 as a start.
Dec 6, 2021, 7:46 pm
#193
formerly wunderpit
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ONT-SNA-LAX
Programs: UA1K-HHDiamond
Posts: 1,339
It’s getting to the point of being silly. A 3 day quarantine with pre and post testing, and full vaccination (booster mandatory) would be plenty. Sure, add a couple more days of home quarantine afterwards. Beyond that, it’s ludicrous. 21 days is laughable.
Dec 6, 2021, 8:12 pm
#194
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: LA
Programs: AA Plat Pro, SPG/Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,192
Does Taiwan or the airlines accept Rapid NAAT tests? I see that NAAT is included as an accepted test on the Taiwanese cdc website but I’m unsure if we’ll run into issues if it’s a ‘rapid’ test? It’s currently offered by carbon health locations nationwide in the US
Dec 6, 2021, 8:36 pm
#195
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,481
......The 3rd week is actually much better and not quarantine at all. You *should* avoid meetings and trade shows but *can* if these meetings are *important*. You can also go to restaurants and dine with others, as long as you don't go with friends and family (but if they go to the same restaurant separately, then it's ok)........
I put in an inquiry and was specifically told no to the above. Taipei Sheraton, for example, requires guests to sign an agreement that, for guests under 7 day self-health check, they will not dine in their restaurants nor will they access Executive Lounge. Those guests, I was told, are limited to take away orders only as room service has been suspended. Some hotels don't even accept guests under 7 day self-health check period.
NOTICE for control the spread of epidemic COVID-19. Hotel will adopt the following policies to maintain the health, rights and interests of the public.
All check-in guests must cooperate with the body temperature measurement policy, have no fever and agree with the Hotel’s epidemic control measures.
If you or others (including roommates, accompaniments, and visitors) have received the “Home Quarantine Notice” or the “Passenger Health Declaration and Home Quarantine Notice” or “Self-Health Management Notice” before check-in, we apologize for rejecting you from the hotel service and will return your payments in the original mode of payment unconditionally.
If concealing the receipt of notice after checking-in, Hotel will terminate the contract as of the date of acknowledgment and immediately suspend all services. Hotel will not need to make compensation of any kind. By contrast, you would be also liable to indemnify the damage caused to the Hotel by your concealment.
All check-in guests must cooperate with the body temperature measurement policy, have no fever and agree with the Hotel’s epidemic control measures.
If you or others (including roommates, accompaniments, and visitors) have received the “Home Quarantine Notice” or the “Passenger Health Declaration and Home Quarantine Notice” or “Self-Health Management Notice” before check-in, we apologize for rejecting you from the hotel service and will return your payments in the original mode of payment unconditionally.
If concealing the receipt of notice after checking-in, Hotel will terminate the contract as of the date of acknowledgment and immediately suspend all services. Hotel will not need to make compensation of any kind. By contrast, you would be also liable to indemnify the damage caused to the Hotel by your concealment.
Last edited by TerryK; Dec 6, 2021 at 8:59 pm