Taiwan Self-Initiated Epidemic Prevention - What Can and Can't I Do?

Bystander on 04/03/2023 - 16:26

From what I'm reading everyone has to undergo 7 days SEP.

When I look at the govt page it says that "In principle, arriving travelers should stay at home or a residence of a friend or family member or a hotel room that meets the requirement of "one person per room" (with a private bathroom) in the self-initiated prevention period" and "During the self-initiated prevention period, arriving travelers should avoid coming into contact with persons who have a high risk of developing severe COVID-19 (including elderly people 65 and older, children 6 and younger, and individuals who are immunocompromised or have a weak immune system)". Also "Arriving travelers can dine alone or with specific persons in a restaurant if they need to eat when outside. They should immediately put on a mask when they leave their seat or finish eating. They can temporarily remove their mask when dining and should put on their mask after finishing their meal".

So if you're going for two weeks half of your holiday will be pretty uneventful if you're spending most of your time in your room and eating alone, or am I reading that wrong?

Has anyone been there recently? Is this a strictly enforced policy?

Travel Asia Taiwan

Comments

  • Bystander on 04/03/2023 - 16:36

    On reading this again I think that when they say "arriving travelers should stay at home or a residence of a friend or family member" they mean you can still go out but sleep and ablute alone.

  • EightImmortals on 04/03/2023 - 16:37
    -2

    ""In principle," "self-initiated prevention period"

    Sounds optional to me. Enjoy your holiday, stay away from the government as much as possible and you should be OK.

    ""Arriving travelers can dine alone or with specific persons in a restaurant if they need to eat when outside. They should immediately put on a mask when they leave their seat or finish eating. They can temporarily remove their mask when dining and should put on their mask after finishing their meal".

    Most other countries have dropped al the bio-security fear porn, are you sure these 'rules' are still place?

    Here: https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4804724

    " The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) (lols) announced on Thursday (Feb. 9) it will end Taiwan's indoor mask mandate starting Feb. 20, while also announcing updated mask rules for schools. The first stage, which was implemented in early December, no longer required masks to be worn outdoors, but kept in place the indoor masking requirement."

    There are still some loose rules around schools but they look to be going optional as well.

  • freefall101 on 04/03/2023 - 16:50
    +1

    I think you missed this bit:

    "3. Arriving travelers should rest at home if they experience symptoms. If they don't experience symptoms, a negative result from an at-home rapid test taken within two days is required before they go out, go to work, or attend school. They should wear a mask at all times when outside."

    Take a test, wear a mask then do whatever. Try avoid hospitals and old folks homes. They'll give you the tests to take.

    • EightImmortals on 04/03/2023 - 17:01

      That wasn't from the link I posted.

      The OP's link was published in Sept last year, before the mandates were dropped in December and last month.

      "a negative result from an at-home rapid test taken within two days is required"

      Required by whom?
      Who is going to follow you around and check?

      • freefall101 on 04/03/2023 - 17:05

        Ah, you're right, sorry. I followed OPs link and hadn't read yours.

        https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Bulletin/Detail/yh5gzGCDeXhRWykwM0… - that is the current guidance. Seems like there's nothing at all to worry about.

        • EightImmortals on 04/03/2023 - 17:07

          Not to worry,. :)

          Here's the latest from the Oz gubmint site.(22/2/23)

          https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/taiwan

          "Indoor mask-wearing rules have been relaxed, but you'll still need to wear a mask in all medical facilities and on all public transport. When you arrive in Taiwan, you'll be required to undertake 7 days of Self-initiated Epidemic Prevention (SEP). The SEP period can be done in a private residence, provided it meets the criteria. You'll only need to take a rapid antigen test (RAT) if you develop COVID-19 symptoms during the 7-day SEP (see 'Travel')."

          So it does seem like you'll be stuck in quarantine for 7 days, can you visit somewhere else?

          (Still not sure how they will be monitoring anyone though?)

  • netjock on 04/03/2023 - 18:02
    +1

    Went there in Nov 22.

    They give you a whole box of RAT tests. We did a test each day for the next few days and keep masks on just in case. That was when there was still a mask mandate.

    Not strictly enforced unless you go around telling people you just arrived and you refuse to use your RAT tests.

  • Bystander on 04/03/2023 - 18:30

    On further investigation…
    https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Bulletin/Detail/yh5gzGCDeXhRWykwM0…

    "On February 1, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that it will adjust the rapid test time rule specified in the Self-initiated Prevention Directions starting on February 7. The CECC will remove the requirements that arrivals should take a rapid test on the day of arrival or the first day of their self-initiated prevention period and provide a negative test result taken within two days before going out. The CECC has made a change to the rule on when to use rapid tests. Arrivals will only need to "take an at-home rapid test when they develop symptoms during their self-initiated prevention period."

    In line with these adjustments to relevant COVID-19 measures, starting 00:00 on February 7 (scheduled arrival time), the number of free rapid tests offered to arrivals will be changed to one. The number of rapid tests offered to close contacts of confirmed cases will also be changed to one from February 7 (start date of isolation for the confirmed case)."

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