CECC rolls out new measures combating COVID-19

2020/04/21

Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center announced new disease prevention measures April 18, the latest in a series of moves aimed at safeguarding the country amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
 
 The new rules require inbound travelers who have visited Southeast Asia in the last 14 days to fill out health declaration and quarantine notice forms before boarding flights to Taiwan, the CECC said, adding that the measures take effect April 21 at midnight local time.
 
 According to the CECC, affected passengers must confirm their residence meets home quarantine requirements, including a separate bedroom and bathroom. Those whose homes do not meet the stipulations or who live with people age 65 and over, children age 6 and under, or anyone with chronic conditions are required to check into a quarantine hotel.
 
 Anyone who provides false information on the forms can be fined up to NT$150,000 (US$5,000), the CECC added. The new regulations join those already in place for passengers who traveled to Europe and the Americas prior to arriving in Taiwan and are expected to reduce the risk of cluster infections caused by imported cases.
 
 The Bureau of Consular Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced April 17 a second automatic 30-day extension for foreigners who entered Taiwan on or before March 21 on a visitor visa, landing visa or through a visa waiver program and have not exceeded their legal stay. Foreign nationals who receive extensions can remain in the country for a maximum of 180 days.
 
 Latest statistics from the CECC reveal 422 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Taiwan as of April 20, with six deaths. A total of 2,408,630 cases have been identified in 183 other countries and territories.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)