Since Hong Kong has already been removed from the WHO's list of "areas with recent local transmission of SARS," the Offshore Control Division after careful consideration adjusted the regulations governing the entry of travelers from Hong Kong and Macao as follows:
I. Necessary quarantine and prevention measures at airports remain in place: Visitors from Hong Kong or Macao are still required to fill in a Questionnaire for SARS Prevention before boarding a plane to Taiwan, and to possess the questionnaire at customs. Furthermore, health/related authorities or airline staff should perform temperature checks on all passengers before the flight. Upon arrival in Taiwan, another temperature check is still obligatory.
II.
Issuance of landing visas for Hong Kong residents remains suspended, but the Offshore Control Division will continue to monitor the situation and constantly review the need for anti-epidemic measures before landing visa services may be resumed. For the time being, suspension of landing visas for HK residents is still conducive to helping control the amount of cross-Strait travel and the measures will be continued after considering the domestic epidemic situation.
III. Travelers entering from Hong Kong (and who have not been to the Mainland or another SARS transmission area over the ten days preceding entry into Taiwan) are no longer required to undergo a 10-day home quarantine, but must follow a "self-care procedure." Visitors entering from Macao are no longer required to possess a document stating that they did not leave Macao over the past ten days.
A. Travelers entering Taiwan from Hong Kong or Macao will be treated under "health management" regulations and be issued a "Guide to Self-Care Health Management."
B. Based on the Questionnaires for SARS Prevention and other supporting documentation, the Aviation Police Bureau and related government agencies will examine whether or not inbound travelers have been to the Mainland over the past ten days.
C. The Department of Health's Center for Disease Control (CDC) will enter all Questionnaires for SARS Prevention into files and distribute them to the local health authorities (stations).
D. The local health stations will arrange the data in lists for monitoring purposes, and perform follow-up random checks to establish whether or not visitors are performing regular temperature checks and recording their itinerary in Taiwan.
E. For detailed information please refer to the following attachments: (1) Outline of the Adjusted Regulations Governing the Entry of Travelers from Hong Kong and Macao; (2) Guide to Self-Care Procedure; (3) Diagram of Enhanced Follow-up Monitoring Measures.
IV. Switch from old to new measures for those who entered Taiwan before adjusted regulations came into force: Applicants have to fill in and sign an "Entry Self-Guarantee Letter" (see attachment 4) stating that they had not been to the Mainland (or another SARS transmission area) during the ten days before entering Taiwan. Applicants submit the letter to the local health station, which will then release them from quarantine restrictions.
V. Follow-up monitoring of passengers entering from Hong Kong or Macao: The Offshore Control Division, in cooperation with the competent health authorities, is in charge of follow-up surveillance.
VI. For travelers entering Taiwan from the Mainland via Hong Kong or Macao (transit passengers): The current quarantine regulation remains unchanged, if their Questionnaire for SARS Prevention shows that they have been to the Mainland over the previous ten days. Restrictions for these travelers will only be lifted after all accompanying measures have been reviewed and adjusted.
VII. These adjusted regulations come into force on June 26.
Remark: During the first ten days after their arrival, travelers entering Taiwan from Hong Kong/Macao are required to conscientiously record their body temperature and itinerary. The competent authorities will perform coordinated follow-up surveillance. Please implement and comply with all requirements.
Attachment 1：GOutline of the Adjusted Regulations Governing the Entry of Travelers from Hong Kong and Macao
Attachment 2：GGuide to Self-Care Procedure
Attachment 3：G Flow Chart of Follow-up Health Monitoring Measures
Attachment 4：GEntry Self-Guarantee Letter