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Taiwan is aiming to end mandatory Covid-19 quarantine for incoming passengers starting October 13th.
While many regions in Asia have eased or lifted Covid-19 restrictions, Taiwan still maintains some entry and quarantine regulations, although it has reduced the required quarantine period for travelers from seven days to three days.
The island has recorded more than 6 million Covid-19 cases since the beginning of this year, partly due to the highly contagious Omicron variant. With over 99% of those cases being asymptomatic or only mild, the island's authorities are gradually easing restrictions.
Taiwan has kept some entry and quarantine regulations in place as much of the rest of Asia eased or lifted them entirely, although in June it reduced the number of days required for visitors from seven days.
Lo Ping-cheng, a representative of the Taiwanese government, informed reporters that starting next Thursday, visa-free entry will be reinstated for citizens of all countries that previously enjoyed that status. The island's authorities will also raise the weekly limit on international visitors from 10,000 to 60,000, and will no longer require PCR testing for arrivals.
If "everything is under control," authorities are aiming to end mandatory quarantine for all incoming passengers from around October 13, and the passenger limit will be increased to 150,000 people per week, said Lo Ping-cheng.
Lo Ping-cheng also stated, "This is the final stage in our fight against the pandemic," adding that the island's authorities are making all necessary preparations to reopen to international tourists and support domestic businesses that have been affected by the outbreak.
However, those who test positive for Covid-19 will still need to self-isolate at home or in designated hotels, the island's authorities said. While Taiwan's vaccination rate is high, daily case numbers are rising again, with more than 46,000 reported last Wednesday.
Before the pandemic, Taiwan was a popular tourist destination primarily for Asian travelers, including Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia.
