Coronavirus News | Office of Global Mandarin Education

Due to the impact that COVID-19 border control measures and flight bans have had on foreign visitors to Taiwan, MOFA announced an automatic 30-day duration of stay period extension on March 21, 2020. In consideration of increased travel restrictions worldwide, MOFA announces that all travelers who entered Taiwan on or before March 21, 2020, on a visitor visa, a landing visa, or through a visa-waiver program and who have not overstayed their legal stay period will now be granted a second automatic 30-day extension. No application is required. The total period of stay cannot exceed 180 days (The day after entry date will be counted as the first day of stay). These conditions are subject to change and may be adjusted as circumstances require. In addition, the National Immigration Agency (NIA) has announced the Expanded Overstayers Voluntary Departure Program. Foreign nationals who have overstayed their visas and turn themselves in from March 20 to June 30 are entitled to penalty relief measures: They will not be detained or receive an entry ban, and will be given only a minimum fine. For further information, please visit the NIA website at https://www.immigration.gov.tw/. (Date source:Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that no additional cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were confirmed in Taiwan on April 16. The CECC reported that 962 additional cases related to COVID-19 were reported on April 15. As of writing, a cumulative total of 50,703 cases have been reported among which COVID-19 has been ruled out in 47,407. Of these reported cases, infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in 395 cases. Of 395 confirmed cases in Taiwan, 340 are imported and 55 are indigenous. Of the confirmed cases, there have been 6 deaths, and 155 patients have been released from isolation while the remainder remains hospitalized in isolation. (Data source:Taiwan Centers for Disease Control)

On April 14, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that beginning 00:00 Taipei Standard Time on April 18, inbound travelers who have visited Europe and the Americas in the last 14 days (starting 00:00 Taipei Standard Time on April 4) should voluntarily present documents for home quarantine requirements before boarding. Such inbound travelers should stay at the hotels which provide rooms for individuals subject to home quarantine/isolation after entry if they live with people who are 65 years old or older, children 6 years old or under, persons with chronic disease (such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes or lung disease), or persons who don’t have a separate room (including a separate bathroom). Furthermore, those who make a false health declaration will be fined up to NT$150,000. (Data source:Taiwan Centers for Disease Control)  

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced on April 14 that a trial run of the online ordering of 3D child-size face masks will begin from April 15 until April 17. The online ordering system, eMask, will automatically verify the NHI card data, and online order registration will be allowed for people 16 or under. A 3D face mask for children is less than 8 (length) x 12 (width) cm when folded in half. Please confirm the size of a children’s face mask before purchasing one. Additionally, the restriction on the age of persons who can buy child-size face masks will be reinstated starting April 23, allowing only persons 16 or under to buy children’s masks by using their NHI cards.   (Data source:Taiwan Centers for Disease Control)

First time in 36 days, Taiwan reports no new cases of Wuhan coronavirus TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) on Tuesday (April 14) announced that for the first time in 36 days there are no new cases of Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) to report. During his daily press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Health Minister and CECC head Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) announced there were zero new coronavirus cases detected in the country that day. Chen said the last time Taiwan had reported zero new cases was March 9, meaning that Taiwan had gone 36 days with at least one coronavirus case. The vast majority of cases reported over this period were imported from other countries as Taiwanese citizens fled from hotspots in Europe, Asia, and North America. There were fears these imported cases would bring a second wave of domestic infections to the country. Out of Taiwan's total count of 393 cases, 338 were imported from abroad, while 55 were contracted locally. Of the confirmed cases, six have succumbed to the disease, while 124 have been released from hospital isolation. Fortunately, it appears the CECC's efforts at quickly identifying, isolating, and tracing contacts of confirmed cases have held the virus at bay, for now. In other good news, Chen said all 214 Taiwan citizens who were evacuated from Hubei province via charter plane on March 30 were released on Tuesday from home isolation and have begun self-health management. (Data Source:Taiwan News)

The government of Taiwan announced on April 1 that it was initiating a first wave of international humanitarian assistance in response to the continued spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, donating 10 million medical masks and other medical supplies to the US, Europe, and diplomatic allies. This has drawn praise and recognition from around the world. The masks donated to Taiwan’s diplomatic allies have already been shipped. Preparations for donations to the US are also proceeding smoothly, and will be explained separately by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Masks donated to the Netherlands arrived in Amsterdam on April 7, while those destined for other European countries were shipped on the evening of April 8 and early morning of April 9 and will be delivered to the EU member states Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, and Spain, as well as the Holy See, Switzerland, and the UK. These shipments will meet urgent demand for masks among frontline medical personnel, other relevant groups, and clergy who are in frequent contact with their flock. The completion within one week of relevant operations for this first wave of assistance announced on April 1 once again highlights the spirit of “Taiwan can help!” Indeed, the delivery of these urgently needed Taiwan-made medical supplies offers timely assistance to people in the US, Europe, and diplomatic allies. The significance of these shipments was further accentuated by the fact that they took place in just one week since its announcement, and within the parameter of celebrating World Health Day. Following this first wave, MOFA today announced a second wave of international humanitarian assistance. Taiwan will once again donate medical masks to support countries hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of six million masks will be shipped to EU member states in Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe, more severely affected states in the US, countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, partner countries under Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy, and other friendly nations. Taiwan has also held discussions with Japan on donations to that country. Further announcements will be made when these discussions lead to concrete outcomes. Epidemic prevention and containment transcend national borders. Countries cannot fight COVID-19 alone. A strong defense against the disease can only be built through close mutual assistance for mutual benefit. As the international community endeavors to strengthen mechanisms to combat COVID-19, Taiwan stands willing and able to collaborate with other countries, and plays a role indispensable in overcoming the pandemic. Taiwan will continue to take concrete and substantive measures to show that Taiwan can help and Taiwan is helping, demonstrate the compassion and determination of its government and people, and reaffirm its sincere commitment to participating in international affairs. (Data Source : Ministry of Foreign Affairs)