March 18, 2020
On March 18, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has continued to expand. There have been more than 1,000 new cases per day in the United States, with four states experiencing community transmission, and more than 100 new cases per day in Canada and Australia, while New Zealand continues to maintain close ties with Australia. The US and Australia have also declared countrywide or regional states of emergency.
Given the risk of infection to Taiwanese nationals, effective March 19 the CECC will raise its travel notice for the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, including for transit flights made through these countries, to Level 3: Warning. This comes in addition to the US states of Washington, New York, and California, which were already subject to a Level 3: Warning travel notice. Taiwanese nationals should avoid nonessential travel to these countries, and will be required to follow a 14-day period of home quarantine after returning from Level 3 countries and regions. Furthermore, effective March 19, all inbound travelers will be required to follow a 14-day period of home quarantine after entering Taiwan.
As of March 18, the CECC has raised its travel notice for 97 countries and one region to Level 3: Warning; namely, mainland China (including Hong Kong and Macao), 20 Asian countries, nine Central Asian countries, 26 Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, 14 Eastern European countries, 16 countries and one territory in the Middle East, five north African countries, the US, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. The Level 3 travel notice also applies to dependent territories of these countries where applicable.
Bureau of Consular Affairs, MOFA press release (2020/3/18): CECC raises travel notice for the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, including transit flights, to Level 3: Warning; advises against all nonessential travel to these countries
March 17, 2020
In light of the escalating COVID-19 situation in the US, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) in Taiwan has raised travel notice for the states of Washington, New York and California to Level 3: Warning, and the remaining states to Level 2: Alert.
Effective March 17, travelers arriving in Taiwan from the US states of Washington, New York and California must undergo a 14-day period of home quarantine. Those arriving from other US states must conduct a 14-day period of self-health management.
Bureau of Consular Affairs, MOFA press release (2020/3/17): CECC raises travel notice for 20 Asian, East European countries, three US states to Level 3: Warning; advises against all nonessential travel
March 15, 2020
In light of the COVID-19 situation in the US, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) in Taiwan has raised travel notice for the states of Washington, New York and California to Level 2: Alert, and the remaining states to Level 1: Watch.
All travelers arriving in Taiwan from the US will be required to conduct “self-health management” for 14 days. This includes taking their own temperature twice daily, avoiding public places, and wearing face masks in public.
Self-health management requirements: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/File/Get/iNSs2KX3g4NbUwirtn80aQ
Bureau of Consular Affairs, MOFA press release (2020/3/14)
The disease outbreak in the US has intensified, with 46 states and Washington D.C. all reporting confirmed cases, and more than 20 states having declared a state of emergency. According to the assessment of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spread through communities in the states of Washington, New York and California. Isolation measures have been implemented in certain regions suffering from severe epidemic developments.
In light of the situation, the CECC raised its travel notice for the above three states to Level 2: Alert. Travelers visiting these regions are advised to practice enhanced precautions. The travel notice for remaining US states is Level 1: Watch, and visitors are advised to take usual precautionary measures.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic, with more than 110 countries reporting confirmed cases and more than 70 countries reporting indigenous transmissions. Various countries have strengthened its border control measures and restricted the movement of people. As infections continue to spread globally, and considering the close transportations and exchange between nations, the CECC raised its travel notice to Level 1: Watch, for all countries yet listed in the advisory.
Travelers who have visited countries listed in the Level 1 and 2 categories in the past 14 days are required to practice a 14-day self-health management. As travel notice are heightened for countries around the globe, the government will strengthen its border control measures and conduct retrospective screenings to ensure the safety of Taiwan people.
