First group of foreign travellers arrive at Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan since the state eased its restrictions
(Picture: AP)Taiwan has lifted all of its Covid-19 entry restrictions, which will allow tourists easier access to the island for the first time since the pandemic began.
Visitors will no longer need to undertake a mandatory quarantine period, which had been essential for most since early 2020 - and brings Taiwan out of step with mainland China, which continues to impose some of the world’s toughest restrictions.
Arrivals to Taiwan also no longer need to take any PCR tests but will be expected to obtain a negative result on a rapid antigen test the day they arrive. If they do not, they will need to show one to go out during a week-long monitoring period upon arrival. Similar reforms to protocol have also been implemented in Hong Kong.
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 favourite dish in Taiwan,” Mr 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.
At a welcome ceremony in the Taoyuan airport’s arrival hall, the travellers from Thailand were met by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau’s director, Chang Shi-chung, who handed out gifts.
Taiwan’s tourism bureau estimated that a total of 244 tourists from some 20 tour groups would arrive on Thursday.
With both Hong Kong and Taiwan getting rid of restrictions and welcoming back tourists, mainland China remains one of the few places in the world adamant in keeping borders closed and sticking to a “zero-Covid” strategy to stamp out the virus.
Hong Kong ended its mandatory quarantine policy for inbound travellers late last month, requiring just a three-day self-monitoring period.
