CORONAVIRUS/Taiwan to ease rules for last four days of arrival COVID-19 protocol

Taipei, Aug. 15 (CNA) Travelers arriving in Taiwan will face slightly less restrictive protocols on where they can stay starting Sept. 1, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced Monday.

After entering Taiwan and remaining in quarantine for the standard three days, travelers will be allowed to spend the four-day "self-initiated epidemic prevention" period on a one person to a room basis, and will not need permission to change locations, the CECC said.

At present, arrivals must complete both the three- and four-day periods on a one person per residence basis (if home quarantining) and need to apply for permission from local authorities if they wish to spend the two periods at different locations. (Current quarantine rules)

At a press conference Monday, CECC head Victor Wang (王必勝) said the one person per residence rule during the three-day quarantine period will remain in effect, but travelers will be able to spend the four-day protocol on a one person to a room basis starting Sept. 1.

To meet these standards, a person should have one room and one bathroom reserved for their use only, Wang said, adding that booking a non-quarantine hotel room during this period will remain prohibited.

Meanwhile, people who wish to change locations after completing the three-day quarantine -- such as by moving from a quarantine hotel to a private residence -- will no longer need to apply to the local government for permission to do so, he said.

According to the CECC, during the self-initiated epidemic prevention period, people should only go out when necessary and after testing negative using a rapid antigen test the same day or the previous day.

People are permitted to take public transportation and go to work during the four-day period, but may not go to school, the CECC's guidelines state.

When outdoors, they should wear a mask at all times, practice social distancing and avoid visiting crowded places, and should not go to a hospital or clinic unless they have a medical emergency, according to the guidelines.

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