Travelers from China to be subjected to saliva PCR tests at border
ROC Central News Agency
12/28/2022 06:33 PM
Taiyuan, Dec. 28 (CNA) Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) head Victor Wang (王必勝) announced Wednesday that travelers from China will be required to undergo a saliva COVID-19 test when they arrive in Taiwan starting on Jan. 1.
The policy, first promoted by Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) on Monday morning, will require a saliva-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for each traveler at their arrival airport amid a massive surge in COVID-19 cases in China.
On a visit to Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan's main international gateway, on Monday, Wang said he estimated that around 30,000 travelers coming into Taiwan from China will undergo the saliva test from Jan. 1 to Jan. 31, when the policy is currently set to end.
The CECC added that the new policy is applicable to those on flights from the four Chinese cities -- Beijing, Shanghai Chengdu and Xiamen -- that currently have direct flights to Taiwan and that it will also be imposed on citizens from Taiwan's outlying Kinmen and Matsu islands.
However, the policy will not apply to anyone arriving from Hong Kong and Macau, the CECC said.
The CECC also said the policy was made following similar guidelines adopted by other countries, including Japan and Italy, in response to the lack of transparency in information being provided by Beijing on the COVID-19 epidemic in China.
The policy primary targets returning Taiwanese citizens and Chinese nationals traveling to Taiwan on business, for study or to visit their families, as Chinese tourists are still banned from entering Taiwan, the CECC said.
(By Wu Jui-chi and James Lo)
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