Japan and Hong Kong have recently announced reopening to travellers. Could the good news from East Asia get even better?
As of October 13, 2022, Taiwan will officially reopen to international travellers without quarantine for the first time since the pandemic began.
This represents another major milestone in the world opening back up, as Taiwan has had some of the strictest COVID-19 controls of any jurisdiction in the world.
Once borders open, even unvaccinated travellers can enter the country and travel freely, after producing one negative rapid test on arrival.
Taiwan Travel Restrictions
As of October 13, 2022, independent tourists will be able to enter Taiwan freely for the purpose of tourism with no designated quarantine in place. There will initially still be a weekly entry cap of 150,000 travellers, which will be reviewed and adjusted over time.
Travellers from countries that could previously enter Taiwan without a visa will soon be able to do so once again with the same ease. Canadians can stay in Taiwan for up to 90 days for the purpose of tourism.
The will be no pre-departure travel requirements to speak of, such as showing proof of vaccination or a negative test before your flight.
Testing & Quarantine Upon Arrival
As of October 13, international tourists can enter Taiwan under the “0+7” plan, in which there are zero days of quarantine followed by seven days of health monitoring.
During the seven days of monitoring, travellers will be required to take four antigen tests, which are handed out for free at the airport upon arrival.
Before leaving the hotel during these seven days, travellers should have a negative antigen test from the previous or current day, with the other three COVID-19 antigen tests used accordingly.
The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control notes that test results are not required to be reported, and will only apply to travellers over the age of two.
In the event of a positive test, travellers are to voluntarily follow the Self-initiated Epidemic Prevention Guidelines, and will be allowed to self-isolate at home, a hotel, or a community quarantine facility.
Current Health Requirements in Taiwan
Taiwan no longer uses any COVID-19 tracking app, and has very little restrictions left in the way of preventing COVID-19. Restaurants, bars, nightclubs, museums, and everything else is running at full capacity, with no physical distancing requirements.
The one requirement still in place is mask-wearing, which is mandatory in all public spaces, including outside. The only exceptions are while eating and drinking.
How to Get to Taiwan
To fly to East Asia on points, Aeroplan is the first loyalty program that comes to mind, with its good-value rate of 75,000 points for a one-way flight in business class on any routing under 7,500 miles in distance flown.
On EVA Air, the Taipei–Vancouver route currently offers the new Boeing 787 business class product.
From Toronto, 75,000 points is also the price, but only if there’s award space on the direct EVA Air flight. Otherwise, expect to pay 87,500 points for a connecting journey from the East Coast (or any itinerary of 7,500+ miles).
With Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, you can also fly via Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific for 50,000 Alaska miles in business class and 70,000 Alaska miles in First Class. This could be another excellent sweet spot to aim for on your first visit to Taiwan in the post-pandemic era.
The tricky part is that Cathay Pacific award space is very limited at the moment, although there is hope that Cathay Pacific will rapidly add new flights in light of Hong Kong’s recent reopening.
You can also consider flying with Japan Airlines, connecting in Tokyo, at a cost of 60,000 Alaska miles in business class and 70,000 Alaska miles in First Class.
Lastly, if you’ve been collecting Air France/KLM Flying Blue miles, you can take advantage of a unique SkyTeam partner redemption in the form of China Airlines business class, which flies direct between Taipei and Vancouver for 88,000–93,000 Flying Blue miles.
Conclusion
Beginning October 13, 2022, Canadians and other international travellers will be able to enter Taiwan without quarantine. This move represents yet another part of East Asia reopening to the world after over two and a half years of being sealed off.
You’ll still be subject to some minor COVID-19 testing, in the form of self-administered rapid antigen tests to be taken upon arrival. With only four tests over the course of a week, it’s not going to be too much of an inconvenience.
If you’ve been looking forward to visiting Taiwan again, it’s best to lock in your flights before the award space gets snapped up.
