Press Release of the Offshore Control Division of the Executive Yuan's SARS Prevention, Control and Relief Committee
Due to the fact that the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) epidemic has gradually come under control both in Taiwan and overseas, and in order to gradually resume economic, trade and personnel exchanges between Taiwan and Hong Kong, the Offshore Control Division announced the resumption of the issuance of landing visas, i.e.14-days entry permits, for Hong Kong residents starting July 14.
However, since SARS has not been totally eradicated and its threat remains, the relevant quarantine and prevention measures will remain in place. The Offshore Control Division reiterates that travelers from Hong Kong are still required to fill out the "Questionnaire for SARS Prevention," and inspected by airline staff before boarding for Taiwan. Upon arrival in Taiwan, the "Questionnaire for SARS Prevention" will again be inspected and temperatures of the arriving passengers will be taken.
The Offshore Control Division emphasizes that if any member of traveling groups from Hong Kong should feel ill or is a suspected case of SARS during their stay in Taiwan, the related travel agents will provide assistance in seeking medical treatment. In addition, local health authorities, the Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and the Department of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs of the Mainland Affairs Council should be notified immediately. Travel agencies should also urge and ensure that members of the traveling group take their body temperatures twice a day and record their daily itineraries in accordance with the "Guide to Self-Care Procedure." In case violations are found by random inspections, the travel agency will be prosecuted in accordance with the "Interim Act of SARS Control."
The relevant authorities shall likewise increase random inspections of visitors from Hong Kong not traveling in groups. Those who fail to take their body temperatures twice a day and record their daily itineraries in accordance with the "Guide to Self-Care Procedure," and who fail to indicate on the "Questionnaire for SARS Prevention," their contact addresses in Taiwan, their landing visas shall be immediately revoked.
The Offshore Control Division will continue to monitor the SARS situation and carry out timely review of the relevant border control and prevention measures.