Tourists flock to Taiwan as COVID-19 entry restrictions eased
The Hindu
Taiwan’s tourism bureau estimated that a total of 244 tourists from some 20 tour groups will arrive on October 13.
Taiwan lifted all its COVID-19 entry restrictions on October 13, allowing tourists unfettered access the self-ruled island after over 2 1/2 years of border controls.
Hong Kong and Taiwan, together with mainland China, long required most visitors to complete a mandatory quarantine period throughout the pandemic, even as most countries reopened their borders to tourists.
Visitors are no longer required to quarantine upon entry, or take any PCR tests. Instead, they will need to monitor their health for a week after arriving and obtain a negative result on a rapid antigen test the day they arrive. If people want to go out during the weeklong monitoring period, they need a negative test from either that day or the day before.
There are also no longer any restrictions on certain nationalities being allowed to enter Taiwan.
Dozens of visitors from Thailand were among the first to arrive under the new rules at Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport, which serves the capital Taipei, on a Tiger Air flight that landed shortly after midnight. Tourists like 32-year-old Mac Chientachakul and his parents were excited to visit the island.
“Hot pot is my favorite dish in Taiwan,” Mac Chientachakul said. “It’s my first thing to do ... I miss it so much.” Sonia Chang, a travel agent, said the changes are good for both the the tourism industry and Taiwanese residents, who can now travel abroad without having to quarantine when they get home.
Valaisurang Bhaedhayajibh, a 53-year-old business development director of a design firm, called the new rules convenient.