Taiwan closed to all foreign visitors as of 19 Mar 2020
#436
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I certainly hope (and believe it's very likely) that you're both right, but COVID and its endless strains have really curbed my optimism.
Some countries might have greater regulation and enforcement (for a while), but the country with the greatest number of wet markets is unlikely to change anything substantial. They're painting everything as a East vs. West thing now, and shutting down wet markets will be seen as a loss for the "east".
Some countries might have greater regulation and enforcement (for a while), but the country with the greatest number of wet markets is unlikely to change anything substantial. They're painting everything as a East vs. West thing now, and shutting down wet markets will be seen as a loss for the "east".
I already went to Singapore twice this year, and that's more travel than I've done in the past two years! I don't want to go back to lockdown!
#437
Join Date: Aug 2014
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No objections here, sadly none of us (or even the citizens of that particular country) have any say on whether their policy makers follow common sense.
#438
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Tainan, Taiwan
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First time I went to Taiwan to visit my in-laws in Taichung, who live in a nice townhome, they said "let's go to the market". That was an eye-opener. While the fruit and veggies were beautiful looking, I couldn't get past the stink, live chickens and wet potholed walking surfaces. Chaotic as well, and now being even more germ conscious I wouldn't go near that place without double-masking or just not going.
There's another one closer to my house that is old, dark, dirty, and very sketch. I generally avoid that one.
#439
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Yeah, those older markets can be like that. But wet markets can also be done right. I go to one here in Tainan that is relatively new, clean, brightly lit, doesn't stink.
There's another one closer to my house that is old, dark, dirty, and very sketch. I generally avoid that one.
There's another one closer to my house that is old, dark, dirty, and very sketch. I generally avoid that one.
#440
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: Alaska
Posts: 2,188
It's not just avoiding those sketchy markets. There have to be protocols to minimize the possibility of transmitting viruses from animal to human. This is what we think happened in Wuhan. It can happen anywhere, and who knows what this time will be like. Quite frankly, I don't want to know!
There are more instances of virus jumping from farm animals to human being as there are new variants of bird flu, swine flu every year than coronavirus.
#441
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Knowing what we know, we just need to do things differently. We're finally emerging from the pandemic. Let's make sure we have best practices so that no one else here will go through another pandemic in their lifetime. One is enough for me!
#442
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It's not just avoiding those sketchy markets. There have to be protocols to minimize the possibility of transmitting viruses from animal to human. This is what we think happened in Wuhan. It can happen anywhere, and who knows what this time will be like. Quite frankly, I don't want to know!
#443
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: Alaska
Posts: 2,188
what is more important is to timely report and collective prevention to stop the spread early.
Last edited by freed0m; May 28, 2022 at 4:28 am
#444
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So, I just finished listening to the CECC's daily press conference. Regarding any changes to the current traveler quarantine requirements, nothing was officially announced. However, Director Chen was asked if they are leaning toward moving to a 3+4 quarantine + self monitoring, or 0+7 (no quarantine, 7 days of self monitoring). The response was that they are looking at a gradual reduction of quarantine, but are unlikely in the near term to eliminate it altogether.
#445
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: IAH
Posts: 29
My wife and kids just went to Taiwan a few days ago, I'm heading there first week of July. Signs are good based on today's conference that quarantine will be reduced by the time I go but unfortunately not likely to be eliminated. Also hoping by then I don't need to take a quarantine taxi and can take MRT. They had a long line to get taxis and were made to take 2 (there were 4 of them and could only have 3 passengers max). Their driver indicated he believed it was going to go away in next week or two. I also haven't gotten by Visa yet as the folks at TECO suggested I wait until a week or two before I leave, I don't see that requirement disappearing. We first booked in January but had to change a couple times due to Eva keep cancelling flights (so all on United now) and University plans for my oldest changing up our summer schedule. Looking forward to getting back there (it's been 3 years) so I haven't even seen our new place yet where I plan to retire. I also need to diet this month so I can enjoy some tasty food.
#446
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#447
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I see the quarantine will likely be 3 to 5 days based on how the announcement was phrased.
#448
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#450
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: IAH
Posts: 29
Yes IAH-SFO-TPE, July 7 to 31. Original flights were EVA direct and then through NRT on UA but last leg to TPE on EVA which also ended up being cancelled. Originally all 5 of us were going for 2 months and I was going to work remotely but we had to make some schedule changes anyhow so the EVA cancellations worked in our favour as no additional fees, we were using miles so the new flights would have been more. United had also cancelled my wife and one of my child's flights for no discernable reason they could figure out. Took my wife 5 hours on the phone with them last week just a couple days before they left but it got fixed. We have such an odd schedule with folks going and leaving at different times and my youngest, a minor coming back with me so needed to link them so she's not considered unaccompanied. Oldest is only there for 2 weeks since she has University orientation, she still wanted to really go even though she has to quarantine for a week. At least the fact that I had to delay 5 weeks to accommodate her schedule will mean less quarantine for me.