Taiwan – COVID-19: Shortened Quarantine Days for Business Travelers

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Starting May 9, 2022 (00:00am, TWT), Taiwan’s Center for Disease Control (CDC) announced the mandatory home quarantine period for all travelers is reduced from 10 days to 7 days, followed by a 7-day “self-health management” period.^1,2

Prior to May 9, long home-quarantine periods were required in Taiwan for all travelers from the initial 14 days to more recently, 10 days quarantine, followed by an additional 7-day self-health management period.  Such long quarantine periods had caused disruptions and delays to businesses’ operations in Taiwan, impacting business travelers and globally-mobile employees.  Moreover, a long quarantine period meant quarantine hotel and related costs for employers or employees.

Now, considering the shorter incubation period of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 and to maintain Taiwan’s normal social and economic activity, the government has shortened mandatory home quarantine regulations to 7 days, followed by 7 days self-health management.  In addition, the number of mandatory COVID-19 RT-PCR tests and self-administered rapid COVID-19 antigen tests has been reduced.  So, PCR tests are reduced from two tests to only test one upon arrival, while rapid antigen tests are reduced from five times to only one test on the last day of the mandatory 7-day home quarantine period.

The government is taking steps to relax quarantine and COVID-19 testing measures;³ the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) has announced mandatory quarantine days will shorten gradually in the future.  As Taiwan looks to slowly ease border restrictions, it is expected that international assignments to Taiwan will become easier and less costly for employers and employees.

Previously, mandatory home quarantine days for travelers arriving Taiwan was 10 days, with the day of arrival as day zero (“0”).  This is followed by a 7-day self-health management period. 

On May 3, CECC announced that starting May 9, 2022 (00:00am, TWT), quarantine for all arrivals is reduced to 7 days, followed by a 7-day period of self-heath management.  Relevant rules are listed as follows:

1.      Rules on Quarantine Period and Location

• The number of days of mandatory home quarantine upon arrival is 7 days.  The day of arrival counts as day 0.
• A 7-day self-health management period will be required on day 8.
• Travelers should complete their quarantine at home or the residence of a family member or friend, adhering to the “one person per residence” policy; if such policy cannot be met, travelers should complete the required 7-day home quarantine at a designated quarantine hotel/facility.
• Family members or members of the same household who arrive on the same day may choose to quarantine together in their home or the residence of a family member or friend.  In addition, they may stay in the same quarantine hotel/facility.

2.     Rules on PCR Testing

1.      PCR Testing

- Travelers arriving in Taiwan will undergo a PCR test upon arrival on day 0.

2.      At-Home COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test

- Government-funded At-Home Rapid Antigen Tests will be given on day 7 of mandatory home quarantine.

- One additional government-funded At-Home Rapid Antigen Test kit will be provided and should be used if symptoms appear during self-health management period.

- Children under the age of 2 during will undergo a PCR test on day 7 of mandatory home quarantine.

- For those who have difficulty administering the At-Home Rapid Antigen Test kit by themselves on day 7 of mandatory quarantine, the government will arrange to have the test performed by professional personnel.

At-Home Rapid Antigen Test kits will be given at international airports/ports.

1  Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, “Beginning May 9, mandatory quarantine for arrivals to be shortened to 7 days; 7-day self-health management remain required for arrivals starting 8th day”:  https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Bulletin/Detail/Nr2mxSbL1sPgLU2r5aUiag?typeid=158 .

2  Taiwan Centers for Disease Control , “FAQs,” “The difference between home quarantine and self-health management”: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Category/QAPage/SbkmnM5v0OwdDMjJ2tI_xw.

3 For related coverage, see GMS Flash Alert 2022-069, March 29, 2022.

Taiwan Centers for Disease Control - Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (cdc.gov.tw).

* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labor law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.

The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Taiwan.