Japan and US donate COVID-19 vaccines to Taiwan

As the entire world faces the COVID-19 pandemic starting March 2020, Taiwan managed to keep the virus at bay without much restrictions. However, the number of domestic cases began to soar from 21 cases on May 12, 2021, to 723 on May 22. As of June 5, Taiwan has 10446 cases and 187 deaths. While the number of new cases has now decreased to around 300 to 400 per day, the trend has not compelled the Central Epidemic Control Center to relax its postures. Taiwan has been under level three of four epidemic alert since May 19, which bans most public gathering, events, and indoor dining, suspends in-person schooling, and mandates mask-wearing outside of homes.

While most of the world once considered Taiwan to be a model case for stopping the pandemic, the country lags behind in vaccination. At the end of May, Taiwan has only vaccinated fewer than 2% of the population of almost 24 million. Testing capacity was also limited due to the lack of local cases and had to be ramped up. While the government had ordered 20 million doses through COVAX, Oxford-AstraZeneca, and Moderna, the first shipment of 117,000 doses did not arrive until March 2021. Subsequent shipments so far have not been able to meet public demand as the government prioritizes vaccinating front-line workers and vulnerable populations.

Of particular note, Japan donated 1.24 million of its unused doses to Taiwan on June 4. The move attracted significant political pressure from China, which has been attempting to discredit Taiwan’s governing Democratic Progress Party by simultaneously offering Chinese-made Sinovac vaccines and pressuring other countries and pharmaceutical companies not to supply vaccines to Taiwan.

As a part of the global vaccine sharing initiative, the United States announced on June 3 that it will share 25 million doses of vaccines to countries around the world, including Taiwan.

I thank the US for sharing millions of vaccines with countries around the world, including #Taiwan. With the strong partnership our countries share, we know we’ll be there for each other in times of need. https://t.co/THn7fjRves

— 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) June 4, 2021

Taiwan to shut borders to foreign visitors

Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Control Command (CECC) announced that effective January 1, 2021, foreign visitors are not allowed to enter Taiwan. The entry restrictions do not apply to foreign residents of Taiwan holding an Alien Resident Certificate, diplomats and foreign officials, travelers fulfilling business obligations, humanitarian travel, and foreign spouse and underage children of Taiwanese citizens. International transit through Taiwan will be suspended. All travelers still need to present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test report issued within three days of boarding and undergo quarantine for 14 days after arrival.

The tightening of entry restrictions and quarantine measures come as Taiwan confirmed its first locally transmitted COVID-19 case after going 253 days without and the discovery of mutated and more contagious coronavirus in the United Kingdom. An EVA Airways pilot whose employment has since been terminated failed to follow quarantine measures and transmitted the virus to a close contact on December 22.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Taiwan is 799. Seven people have died from the disease.

130,000+ attended annual Taiwan pride parade

Taipei hosted the 18th annual Taiwan LGBT Pride this afternoon, drawing more than 130,000 participants despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Taiwan Rainbow Civil Action Association, which organized the event, advocates for understanding and respect for the LGBTQIA+ communities in Taiwan.

While pride events around the world have been cancelled or shifted to virtual formats due to the pandemic, Taiwan was able to host the in-person event due to its success combating the coronavirus. As of October 31, 2020, Taiwan has just 556 confirmed cases and 7 deaths due to COVID-19. There has been no local transmission for 200 days in the country of more than 23 million.

Taiwan relaxes coronavirus travel restrictions

Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Control Command (CECC) announced that effective June 25, international travelers will be allowed to transit through Taoyuan Airport to a third country. This does not include transit from/to China. Passengers must be flying with the same airline arriving in and departing from Taiwan and will be required to leave Taiwan within eight hours. Currently only passengers flying with Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, and EVA Airways satisfy the transit criteria.

The CECC also announced that effective June 29, certain foreigners will be allowed to enter Taiwan. Foreigners may apply for entry for purposes other than tourism or social visits. Hong Kong and Macau residents may apply to enter for commercial, trade, humanitarian, and family reasons. Those with permission to enter Taiwan need to present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken within three days of boarding and must also undergo a 14-day home quarantine.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Taiwan is 446. Seven people have died from the disease while 435 have recovered.

Taiwan to suspend air travel transit

As the number of imported new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) cases continue to rise, Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Control Command announced that effective 24 March to 7 April 2020, travelers will not be allowed to transit through Taiwan to a third country.

Earlier this week, Taiwan barred most foreign nationals from entering Taiwan. All travelers granted entry, Taiwanese or foreign, must undergo home quarantine for 14 days. Taiwan is advising citizens to avoid all non-essential travel abroad. Taiwan confirmed its first COVID-19 case on 21 January. The number of cases is now 169, 133 of which are imported and 36 are indigenous. Two people have died from COVID-2019 in Taiwan, while 28 have recovered.

Taiwan to bar entry of foreign nationals to stem COVID-19

Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Control Command announced that effective 19 March 2020, foreign nationals will not be able to enter Taiwan. Exception to the ban include Alien Resident Certificate holders, those with documented diplomatic, official, or business reasons, or those who received special permits to enter Taiwan. All travelers granted entry, Taiwanese or foreign, must undergo home quarantine for 14 days. This is in response to a large number of new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases among Taiwanese with recent travel history.

Taiwan is advising citizens to avoid all non-essential travel abroad. Taiwan confirmed its first COVID-19 case on 21 January. The number of cases is now 77.