TAIPEI — The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced on Wednesday (Dec 30) that foreigners would be barred from entering Taiwan starting Jan 1, 2021.
According to Health Minister Chen Shih-chung, this is due to the recent discovery of a mutant coronavirus case in Taiwan that was imported from the UK.
Chen announced that new measures will now be in place following the newly confirmed case, including temporarily barring foreigners without the Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) from entering Taiwan in the new year.
Those under business contracts and diplomats, as well as their spouses and children will be allowed to enter, Chen added.
On the other hand, business travellers from low-risk areas will only be allowed to enter if their applications were approved prior to today’s announcement, the CECC said.
In addition, quarantine measures will also be adjusted, and citizens returning to Taiwan in 2021 will need to be quarantined alone or with those traveling with them.
This indicates that returnees cannot quarantine at home if other resident members who did not travel abroad are also living there.
The new regulations are set to be in place for a month and will be adjusted accordingly, Chen said.
Chen also reminded the public that travellers still need to submit negative test results taken three days prior to boarding.
This article was first published in Asia One . All contents and images are copyright to their respective owners and sources.