Press Release of the Offshore Control Division of the Executive Yuan's SARS Epidemic Prevention, Control and Relief Committee
The WHO has once more put Toronto, Canada, on its list of "areas with recent local transmission of SARS." Since May 28, travelers from that area are therefore again subject to the offshore control regulations and "Type B Home Quarantine Measures." It has to be stressed that the above control regulations and measures only apply to the Toronto area, and that travelers from other areas in Canada are not affected by these restrictions. Since some recent media reports have misled the public, the Offshore Control Division once more states the matters about visa applications and quarantine regulations for entrants currently valid for Canada:
I. Travelers from areas in Canada other than Toronto (i.e. areas without a concentration of SARS cases) receive the same treatment as inbound passengers from other non-SARS-affected areas. Visa applications will be processed according to standard procedures (no landing visas/visa-exempt entries are granted). After entering Taiwan, these passengers will not be required to undergo a 10-day home quarantine.
II. Although Toronto is listed as an area with a concentration of SARS cases, the government has recently relaxed restrictions on the purposes of entry into Taiwan to allow visa applications by foreign travelers from Toronto for reasons of business activities, dependence on family members, visiting a patient, attending a funeral or employment. These travelers may apply for a visa and a boarding permit at the local ROC representative office.
III. Principally, visitors from Toronto are required to undergo a 10-day quarantine upon entering Taiwan. However, to facilitate normal business operations while at the same time enforcing SARS prevention, local companies (employers, business partners) may, in accordance with the "Guidelines for Conducting Business Activities During the Period of Quarantine," sign a guarantee letter and fill in a "Health Conditions and Itinerary Form." After providing these guarantees, companies are allowed to flexibly arrange quarantine measures for their business visitors.
IV. For more detailed information on the relevant regulations, please visit our website: www.mac.gov.tw.