In order to promote the efficiency of quarantine and stay in line with relevant international measures, Taiwan CDC has amended Taiwan’s quarantine measures for international aircrafts based on other countries’ policies.Beginning January 9, 2008, the focus of the quarantine measures for aircraft will be on notification of unusual public health events on board combined with the health screen measures for inbound travelers to effectively prevent entry of diseases into Taiwan. Such change ushers in a new age of quarantine in Taiwan.
To comply with the change in quarantine measures, Taiwan CDC has amended and announced the “Regulations Governing Collection of Quarantine Fees at Ports” on January 7, 2008, and cancelled the sanitary inspection fees required of aircrafts. However, Taiwan CDC would like to remind airline companies that a communicable disease is suspected when a traveler (passenger or a crewmember) on board has a fever (temperature 38°C/100°F or greater) associated with one or more of the following signs or symptoms: appearing obviously unwell, persistent coughing, impaired breathing, persistent diarrhea, persistent vomiting, skin rash, bruising or bleeding without previous injury or confusion of recent onset, and they should notify the quarantine office at the airport immediately in order to take the essential preventive measures in time.
Due to the high speed characteristic of aircraft, the method of reviewing the “Aircraft Pre-Arrival/Departure Report” of each inbound aircraft by the quarantine officials at the airport has failed to contribute significantly to the prevention of foreign disease transmission. Therefore, Taiwan CDC decided to revise the quarantine measures of aircraft to promote the efficiency of quarantine.
Taiwan CDC urges travelers who go abroad to avoid drinking tap water, eating uncooked food and having contact with animals, and practice good hygiene during their stay abroad. To prevent from getting mosquito bites and becoming infected with vector-borne diseases such as dengue fever, malaria or chikungunya, wear light-colored clothing with long sleeves and use insect repellents. If you experience any discomfort during your stay abroad, please ask your tour leader or tour guide for assistance in getting prompt medical advice in the locality. Similarly, if you don’t feel well before arriving in Taiwan, please notify the quarantine personnel at the airport and do fill out the “Communicable Diseases Survey Form”. If you fall ill after returning to Taiwan, please seek medical advice immediately and inform your doctor of your recent travel and contact history.