Taiwan to strengthen COVID testing for passengers from China

2023/01/05

Taiwan is set to strengthen testing for passengers originating from China who transit in Hong Kong or Macau to better protect the health and well-being of its people, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center Jan. 3.
 
Taking effect on Jan. 6, travelers from China who transit through Hong Kong or Macau will be required to present a negative polymerase chain reaction test within 48 hours prior to boarding their flight at the place of departure, or a rapid antigen test within 24 hours prior to boarding their flight at the place of departure.
 
The new measure scheduled to expire Jan. 31 follows similar moves taken by Hong Kong and Macau governments for travelers from China, the CECC said.
 
According to the CECC, the current pandemic in China is severe. It is expected that the large volume of people traveling during the Lunar New Year holiday will increase the risk of transmission and case numbers will surge for the next three months in China, the center added.
 
The government will continue monitoring virus mutations appearing overseas to assess any possible impact on Taiwan, the CECC said. It urged passengers returning to the country during the Lunar New Year holiday to carefully follow pandemic prevention measures.
 
The new requirement follows the CECC’s announcement in December that travelers from China arriving on direct-cross-strait flights and residents of Kinmen and Matsu arriving via special travel arrangements should take a saliva-based PCR test at the airport or port of entry starting Jan. 1.
 
Passengers will then undergo a seven-day period of self-management in their accommodation and take COVID-19 tests during that period. Those who test positive should follow the 5+n home care policy and practice self-health management, according to the center.


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