Government News

CECC confirms 19 more imported COVID-19 cases; all cases linked to studying, working, traveling abroad

From Ministry of Health and Welfare 2020-03-25

On March 25, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced 19 new confirmed imported cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Taiwan. Among the 19 imported cases (Cases #217-235), 12 patients are women and seven are men, with their ages ranging between 10 and 69 years old. These patients entered Taiwan between March 12 and March 22 and displayed symptoms between March 15 and March 23. The countries these patients had traveled to before the onset of disease include Belgium, Egypt, F

Government urged to step up measures for migrant worker rehires

From Focus Taiwan 2020-03-24

Nongovernment migrant shelters urged the government Tuesday to step up measures to help workers whose contracts are about to expire or which already have, to find new employers without the need to return to their countries of origin.

Taiwan to ban airline passenger transits through the country starting March 24 until April 7

From Centers for Disease Control 2020-03-23

On March 22, the Central Epidemic Command Center announced that the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak has become a global pandemic and the number of imported cases continues to rise. In order to stop the spread of COVID-19 through air transport, the CECC has announced that it will suspend the transit of airline passengers through Taiwan from 00:00 Taipei Standard Time (GMT+8) on March 24 until April 7, to decrease the cross-border movement of people and to reduce the risk of disease transmission

Expanded Overstayers Voluntary Departure Program Starts to Encourage Overstaying Foreign Citizens to Turn Themselves in

From Ministry of the Interior, National Immigration Agency 2020-03-20

With the spread of coronavirus-19 worldwide and the discovery of case 32 confirmed COVID-19 patient to be an undocumented migrant worker, it has been a topic of wide discussion on whether overstaying population causes vulnerability to Taiwan’s disease control. “To cope with this issue, the National Immigration Agency(NIA) initiated the Expanded Overstayers Voluntary Departure Program, which starts from April 1st and ends on June 30th with a promotion period from March 20th to March 31st, 2020.

Taiwan to bar entry of foreign nationals to combat COVID-19

From Focus Taiwan 2020-03-18

Taiwan will bar all foreign nationals from entering Taiwan starting Thursday, with some exceptions, as it intensifies efforts to contain the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Wednesday.

Taiwan to bar foreign nationals from entering the country starting March 19 in response to the continued spread of COVID-19

From Bureau of Consular Affairs, MOFA 2020-03-18

Taiwan will bar foreign nationals whose flights depart after 00:00 Taipei Standard Time (GMT+8) on March 19 from entering the country in accordance with measures announced by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC). Exemptions will be granted to Alien Resident Certificate holders, personnel on diplomatic or official business, persons who can prove they are fulfilling commercial and contractual obligations, and persons requiring special permission.

CECC raises travel notice for the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, including transit flights, to Level 3: Warning; advises against all nonessential travel to these countries

From Centers for Disease Control 2020-03-18

On March 18, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has continued to expand. There have been more than 1,000 new cases per day in the United States, with four states experiencing community transmission, and more than 100 new cases per day in Canada and Australia, while New Zealand continues to maintain close ties with Australia. The US and Australia have also declared countrywide or regional states of emergency.

CORONAVIRUS / Migrant workers who leave Taiwan will not be allowed to reenter: MOL

From Focus Taiwan 2020-03-17

Migrant workers who travel outside Taiwan will be temporarily barred from returning until the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic subsides, Vice Labor Minister Lin San-quei said Tuesday. The temporary entry ban is part of the government's latest preventative measures against the spread of COVID-19 and was announced at the daily Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) press conference.

CECC raises travel notice for 20 Asian, East European countries, three US states to Level 3: Warning; advises against all nonessential travel

From Centers for Disease Control 2020-03-17

On March 17, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) reported that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has expanded to Asian countries outside China, with more than 10,000 confirmed cases and the number continuing to increase. Numerous countries have declared the outbreak a national emergency and introduced strict border control and quarantine measures. Recently, the epidemic situation in the United States has also escalated.

Diplomats in Taipei briefed on Taiwan's COVID-19 response

From Focus Taiwan 2020-03-16

Diplomats and foreign representatives in Taipei were briefed Friday on the state of the COVID-19 coronavirus disease outbreak in Taiwan and the country's prevention and containment efforts, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The briefing, held at the ministry and hosted by Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), was attended by diplomats and representatives from nearly 60 countries and international organizations, MOFA said in statement issued late Friday.