Q&A/Taiwan's new COVID-19 policies taking effect Sept. 1

09/01/2022 03:19 PM

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Taipei, Sept. 1 (CNA) With effect from Sept. 1, Taiwan has adjusted a number of its COVID-19 policies, ranging from arrival and quarantine procedures for travelers to screening measures for hospital admissions and rapid test distribution.

Here's what you need to know:

1. Arriving travelers can drive themselves home

Travelers will again be allowed to park their cars in designated airport lots before they depart on overseas trips and drive themselves to their quarantine locations upon their return.

After arriving in the country, people planning to drive should follow airport signs to a designated parking lot (list below), and, after paying their parking fees, proceed directly to their place of quarantine.

• Taoyuan International Airport: Terminal 1 parking lot No. 2, Terminal 2 parking lot No. 4

• Taipei Songshan Airport: Outdoor parking lots No. 1 and 2

• Kaohsiung International Airport: International terminal lot (zones C and D)

• Taichung International Airport: B1 parking lot

One of the designated parking lots at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. CNA photo Aug. 31, 2022

2. Easier rules for last four days of 3+4 protocol

After entering Taiwan, travelers must quarantine for three days either in a quarantine hotel or at a private home on a one-person-to-a-residence basis.

From Thursday, however, travelers will be able to spend the follow-up four-day protocol -- known as "self-initiated epidemic prevention" -- on a one-person-to-a-room basis, and will not need permission to change locations.

As a result, people who are not eligible to quarantine at home because they live with other people will be able to return home for the four-day protocol, as long as they have one room and one bathroom reserved for their use only.

However, booking a room at a non-quarantine hotel during the four-day period will remain prohibited.

3. Eased COVID-19 screening rules for hospital admissions, visits

Also starting Thursday, patients being admitted to hospitals in Taiwan, as well as their visitors, can complete their mandatory COVID-19 screening using at-home rapid tests, in addition to the existing options of PCR or rapid antigen tests administered at a hospital.

In emergency situations, patients will be given a free PCR test or rapid antigen test before being admitted to a hospital room.

In non-emergency situations, patients should take a free at-home rapid test on the day of their admission, or a free PCR or antigen test administered at the hospital within two days before being admitted.

Under current guidelines, admitted patients are generally allowed only one designated visitor, who should also use an at-home rapid test on the day they plan to enter the hospital.

(More details: Taiwan's new COVID-19 screening rules for hospital admissions, visits)

4. Fifth round of rapid test rationing plan begins

The fifth round of the government's COVID-19 rapid test kit rationing scheme begins Sept. 1, with every holder of a National Health Insurance (NHI) card or Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) entitled to purchase up to two packs of five tests each.

As in previous rounds, the five-test packs are available for NT$500 (US$16) at one of more than 4,000 NHI-contracted pharmacies or public health centers.

5. Seniors to get free rapid tests

Starting this month, people aged 65 and above will be able to claim five free COVID-19 rapid tests by presenting their NHI card at an NHI-contracted pharmacy.

According to the Cabinet, the new policy is aimed at protecting seniors amid an expected surge in cases of the Omicron subvariant BA.5 in Taiwan in September and October.

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