PublishTime:2020-02-05
The cumulative total of confirmed cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection in China is rapidly growing, and the total number of cases has exceeded 20,000 as of February 4, 2020. Cases have been reported in all Chinese administrative districts, and a large scale of community-based cluster continues to emerge in each Chinese province and city. Additionally, main cities in China have imposed restrictions on land transport and the movement of the residents, which indicated that the range of community transmission in China might expand. Considering the severe outbreak situation in China and close cross-strait social and commercial exchanges, on February 5, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that starting from February 6, arriving travelers with a history of travel to China, Hong Kong and Macau are required to be under home quarantine. Nonetheless, travelers returning to Taiwan with permission to visit Hong Kong and Macau are required to conduct self-health management for 14 days. The entry of Chinese residents will be suspended.
CECC pointed out that several community-transmitted cases with unknown origin have occurred in Hong Kong, indicating the possibility of invisible chain of infection. On the other hand, a worker in the gambling industry of Macau has been diagnosed with 2019-nCoV infection, indicating a second wave of infection in Macau. Due to the close social and commercial exchanges between Macau and China, the travel notice level for Hong Kong and Macau was raised to Level 2: Alert on February 5. CECC urges travelers visiting the areas to reinforce prevention measures. Furthermore, CECC will closely monitor the development of disease outbreak and adjust endemic area and the level of travel notices accordingly.
With respect to requirements regarding arrival from China, Hong Kong and Macau, CECC provided additional information as follows:
A. Regarding
Taiwanese nationals:
- Starting from February 6, Taiwanese nationals with history of travel to China, Hong Kong and Macau are required to be under home quarantine for 14 days.
- Nationals permitted to enter from Hong Kong and Macau are required to conduct self-health management for 14 days when entering Taiwan.
B. Regarding
Chinese nationals: Chinese nationals are temporarily prohibited from entering Taiwan.
C. Regarding
Hong Kong and Macau nationals: starting from February 7, they are required to be under home quarantine for 14 days after entering Taiwan.
D.
Foreign nationals: starting from February 7, foreign nationals who have visited or resided in China, Hong Kong and Macau in the previous 14 days are temporarily prohibited from entering Taiwan.
E.
The abovementioned measures will be adjusted as warranted by changes in epidemic situation.