CORONAVIRUS/Taiwan to further ease border rules for China, Hong Kong, Macau residents

Taipei, Nov. 3 (CNA) Taiwan will further relax its entry restrictions on Chinese students and Hong Kong and Macau residents with effect from Nov. 7, as part of its gradual lifting of its COVID-19 control measures, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Thursday.

Starting Nov.7, Chinese students will again be allowed to enter Taiwan for short-term study and exchange programs, according to a news release issued by the MAC, the agency that handles affairs related to China, Hong Kong and Macau.

Meanwhile, people from Hong Kong and Macau will be allowed entry for work in office-based positions and for participation in religious activities, the MAC said.

Taiwan will also reopen its borders to tour groups of five to 40 people from Hong Kong and Macau, for visits of up to 15 days, the MAC added.

The new policy is part of Taiwan's gradual unwinding over the past few weeks of its border controls, which included measures that were imposed in March 2020 barring the entry of China, Hong Kong and Macau residents.

Currently, only Chinese students in undergraduate or graduate programs in Taiwan are allowed into the country, while Hong Kong and Macau residents can obtain entry permits only to visit relatives or attend family funerals, according to the MAC.

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