Yeah, I came through this morning. Same experience. There were tubs fully of tests off to the side where you walk through, and one worker busy doing other things. I had to ask, "Do I need to take one of these?" They just looked at me and said "Sure" (可以). Didn't seem to care whether I took one or not. Since I need to take a RAT weekly for my work, I was happy for some extra kits.

I'm thinking to take 2 - 3 night stopover in Taiwan.. I haven't been following the news closely since last year. I'm just wondering if any testing is required to enter Taiwan right now? U.S citizen and vaccinated. Thanks!

Nope.

Unless you arrive Taiwan on a direct flight from China (excluding HK/Macau), then you'll be subject to PCR at port of entry.

Anyone know what's the requirement to enter Taiwan for people flying from HK? Do I need to do PCR before flying? I remember reading before HK or China passport are not allowed entry into Taiwan. I hold a non-HK/China passport, would that allow me entry into Taiwan? Thanks in advance

If you arrive from HKG, you don't have to provide any test report and won't be subjected to arrival PCR (only applies to pax on direct flight from mainland China).

Chinese passport holders are never allowed into Taiwan. That's why they need 入台證. Whether or not you are allowed entry into Taiwan is up to the immigration officer. There is no Covid-related restrictions.

Hi all,

I am confused about the 7-day initiated prevention policy and how it applies for foreign tourists (me arriving from NZ; partner from PHL) https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Bulletin/D...Wvg?typeid=158

It seems to imply you need to stay in a (hotel) room by yourself for 7 days. I will be travelling w partner - and obviously we'd like to be in the same room.

Thanks

It's "self-initiated prevention." In practice it means you are free to do anything you'd like, including taking public transportation. Besides ubiquitous (indoor masking), practically speaking COVID controls are over in Taiwan. The seat belt sign is off, you are free to roam about the cabin.

The requirement is that you need to stay in a room with a dedicated bath for the 7 days, which can be a hotel, yours, or someone else’s residence. If your partner is arriving Taiwan on the same day (even from different city or into different port of entry), you can stay together. If the bathroom can be disinfected after each use, then you can also stay at a room without a dedicated bathroom.

TLDR: you are free to stay anywhere.

Outdoor masking is still required for arriving passengers during the 7 days.

Starting Feb 7, arriving passengers will only get one RAT, and arrival RAT will no longer be required.

Thanks, that seems to make prefect sense: but it does say "1. In principle, arriving travellers 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."

How does sharing a hotel room work?

I gather this is all policed, but i do try to respect the rules of places I visit (even if they seem a little stupid!)

In the 7 days, the arriving passengers need to be the only person using a room with a dedicated bathroom, with the following two notable exceptions:
- the room and the bathroom can be shared with other arriving passengers, provided that they arrive Taiwan on the same day. So in your case, if your partner and you both arrive Taiwan on the same calendar day, you can share the same hotel room.
- if the bathroom can be disinfected after each use, then it can also be shared with others. Once again in your case, if you decide to stay in a B&B or hostel with a shared bath, then it needs to be disinfected between uses.

Quick question...does Taiwan have a "Minimum vax or required test" requirement like Japan does?

no and no

Announced today, indoor mask requirements for most public facilities to be dropped effective Feb 20th. If infection numbers remain stable, schools can drop masking requirements effective Mar 6th. Masks will continued to be required in hospitals and on public transportation.

I'm in Taiwan now. Even though mask requirements have mostly dropped, most people are still wearing them, even outdoors.

In elevators, if others are wearing one, I'll put one on out of courtesy, otherwise it's no mask for me (except for the required places like MRT).