Taiwan closed to all foreign visitors as of 19 Mar 2020
Apr 27, 2022, 2:32 pm
#376
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
Why do things have to be black and white? COVID isn't going to go away anytime soon, if ever. So you want to live in this state for the rest of your life? There has to be balance, and at this point, I'm not sure how the quarantine requirement for someone like me, that's triple vaccinated with Pfizer, poses a risk to the weakest Taiwanese.
I never said I want to live like that. I doubt I can find anybody who wants their country to be like China. I just find this phrase 'follow the science' as meaningful as 'just because.' Because the 'science' of covid killing people has not changed and the medical profession's goal is to not have people die.
Apr 27, 2022, 2:47 pm
#377
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: Marriott Titanium (Lifetime Gold), Caesars Diamond
Posts: 1,401
Lol, I know an American who wants this, who now lives in Taiwan...
I think the only reason they aren't living in China right now is that they can't get in. And if they were in China they would be happy about the current lockdown policies because China saved the most lives or something.
I think the only reason they aren't living in China right now is that they can't get in. And if they were in China they would be happy about the current lockdown policies because China saved the most lives or something.
Apr 27, 2022, 2:48 pm
#378
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,896
You seen to agree, then, that scientists should not run the show.
I never said I want to live like that. I doubt I can find anybody who wants their country to be like China. I just find this phrase 'follow the science' as meaningful as 'just because.' Because the 'science' of covid killing people has not changed and the medical profession's goal is to not have people die.
I never said I want to live like that. I doubt I can find anybody who wants their country to be like China. I just find this phrase 'follow the science' as meaningful as 'just because.' Because the 'science' of covid killing people has not changed and the medical profession's goal is to not have people die.
Apr 27, 2022, 6:08 pm
#379
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
Most people don't like it when their government changes the rules every day, or backtracks. Most governments never admit they are wrong. But Singapore is special. People trust their government (and others, to such an extent that they have a campaign telling people not to trust strangers) and the government is able to get most people to do stuff without needing any penalties.
Taiwan is not, as put aptly by Taipei's mayor:
“For the [world’s] four Chinese-speaking regions — Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Mainland China — the longer the colonization, the more advanced a place is,” Ko said, adding that it was “embarrassing” that “Singapore is better than Hong Kong; Hong Kong is better than Taiwan; Taiwan is better than the mainland.” In a sense I feel it is more similar to China, cause the government has to save face. In Vietnam the COVID rules are not revised, they are just not enforced.
I don't see much similarity in Singapore's government and culture and Taiwan's. What works in one country likely will not work in the other.
Apr 27, 2022, 6:44 pm
#380
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YYZ
Programs: Ex-Bonvoyed, Hyatt, Hilton, BR, AC, AA
Posts: 1,291
And there’s also the matter of different vaccination rates, vaccine types administered (therefore questions of efficacy), spending on health care per capita, difference in how heavily their economy depends on an open border (29% of Singapore’s population are expats, being an international city, while less than 2% of Taiwans population are expats), and as you said, cultural and political differences.
Apr 27, 2022, 9:26 pm
#381
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: TPE, SFO, PAE
Posts: 862
Also, I think the main reason that TW governments (plural) have done a lot of the backtracking, being ambiguous, and following populist opinions is the fact that among all these countries, they are the only one who have to face elections.
Apr 28, 2022, 7:31 am
#382
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: Alaska
Posts: 2,188
Singapore actually had some weirdest quarantine requirements for entries when they reopened couple months ago. A friend went to Sydney with her husband and helper. When they returned to Singapore, someone who sat near them on the flight tested positive. They were all put into government quarantine and without knowing when will their quarantine end. She spent 8 days, her husband 19 days, and the helper almost a month. And because the helper is Indonesian, she had to pay for her quarantine.
I don’t know how much Singaporeans really “trust” the PAP, but they sure have higher expectations (than other Chinese-influenced countries) that the benevolent government to take care of its citizen.
Also, I think the main reason that TW governments (plural) have done a lot of the backtracking, being ambiguous, and following populist opinions is the fact that among all these countries, they are the only one who have to face elections.
I don’t know how much Singaporeans really “trust” the PAP, but they sure have higher expectations (than other Chinese-influenced countries) that the benevolent government to take care of its citizen.
Also, I think the main reason that TW governments (plural) have done a lot of the backtracking, being ambiguous, and following populist opinions is the fact that among all these countries, they are the only one who have to face elections.
It is about the government itself to win the people.
Apr 28, 2022, 11:11 am
#383
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Tainan, Taiwan
Posts: 14,702
LOL. Singapore government faces the same election, but it does not have to follow popular opinions to win an election. With all power PAP has in Singapore, it chooses mostly the right path to lead the people. It is really a gift to have such a government.
It is about the government itself to win the people.
It is about the government itself to win the people.
Apr 28, 2022, 3:24 pm
#384
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: TPA
Programs: SPG/Marriott Platinum, OZ Gold
Posts: 58
It looks like if you hit confirm you can go ahead and book the flight, they are just giving you the warning that transit suspension will go on through end September and you needed testing two days before your flight. Much better than AA who have been pushing connections through HND/NRT changing airports without any special warning (which have not been allowed to non-residents of Japan).
For some of the other comments, I don't know of anyone who has been denied a visa to Taiwan this year, the representative offices seem to be finding ways to grant them for family or business visits. But you will have to quarantine on arrival, just like residents, so I am sure that keeps the number of applicants down. And even last year when we looked into getting special entry permits for business, when they were not likely to approved they told us in advance and asked us to wait 1-2 months and apply again. It was not a case of apply, pay, and spin the roulette wheel. Maybe we were just lucky with this particular representative office but they were very professional. And the suspension only lasted 8 weeks or so.
Two reasons I can think of . Weren't there some cases before related to workers at TPE who spread covid to their familiies? International transit was never on the scale of HKG, NRT, or ICN. BR and CI are both making decent profits. I think the government is looking at the risk/reward return and probably saying international transit is not an immediate need to be addressed. Just my guess.
For everyone wanting the government to move faster on relaxing restrictions I counsel some patience. The number of positive cases is going up by a thousand a day right now, day after day. Something like 99.7% have low level or no symptoms. If this can be managed, which is the case so far, I bet they will continue the gradual relaxing of restrictions. I am impressed they have not hit the breaks somewhat so far given the sudden rise in cases.
For some of the other comments, I don't know of anyone who has been denied a visa to Taiwan this year, the representative offices seem to be finding ways to grant them for family or business visits. But you will have to quarantine on arrival, just like residents, so I am sure that keeps the number of applicants down. And even last year when we looked into getting special entry permits for business, when they were not likely to approved they told us in advance and asked us to wait 1-2 months and apply again. It was not a case of apply, pay, and spin the roulette wheel. Maybe we were just lucky with this particular representative office but they were very professional. And the suspension only lasted 8 weeks or so.
Two reasons I can think of . Weren't there some cases before related to workers at TPE who spread covid to their familiies? International transit was never on the scale of HKG, NRT, or ICN. BR and CI are both making decent profits. I think the government is looking at the risk/reward return and probably saying international transit is not an immediate need to be addressed. Just my guess.
For everyone wanting the government to move faster on relaxing restrictions I counsel some patience. The number of positive cases is going up by a thousand a day right now, day after day. Something like 99.7% have low level or no symptoms. If this can be managed, which is the case so far, I bet they will continue the gradual relaxing of restrictions. I am impressed they have not hit the breaks somewhat so far given the sudden rise in cases.
Apr 28, 2022, 6:03 pm
#385
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
Apr 28, 2022, 6:47 pm
#386
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: Alaska
Posts: 2,188
Don't bother. There are a number of self-appointed government apologists who would never admit that government can be wrong.See No U-turn syndrome
it is not about whether they did wrong, it is more about how they correct their wrongs. There are bound to be mistakes, the tough choice is to make the right choice despite popular opinions.
credit where credit is due. The leadership has not failed the people that much, unlike the more polarised governments…
May 3, 2022, 12:38 am
#387
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: TPE, SFO, PAE
Posts: 862
Starting next Monday (5/9), home quarantine will be shortened to 7 days. PCR on arrival, and antigen test on last day of quarantine. No difference between vaccinated or not.
Way too small steps, but at least in the right direction.
Way too small steps, but at least in the right direction.
May 3, 2022, 12:42 am
#388
formerly wunderpit
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ONT-SNA-LAX
Programs: UA1K-HHDiamond
Posts: 1,339
This is for nationals that have an empty residence, yes?
May 3, 2022, 1:59 am
#389
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Tainan, Taiwan
Posts: 14,702
