Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) on Wednesday announced new quarantine rules from March 7 for crew members of Taiwanese airlines based on receipt of a third COVID-19 vaccine dose.
Long-haul flight crew
Under the new rules, flight crew members on long-haul flights who received their booster shot at least two weeks prior to their assignment will be quarantined for five days upon returning to Taiwan.
The quarantine period will be followed by five days of self-health management, under which they can lead their lives as normal as long as they wear a mask at all times when outside of their homes and do not attend large gatherings or dine in large groups.
The current rules differentiate quarantine requirements based on receipt of two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
For crew members on long-haul flights who have not received a third vaccine dose, or their flight assignment is within two weeks of them getting their booster, they will have to quarantine for five days followed by nine more days of enhanced self-health management protocols upon returning to Taiwan.
The enhanced self-health management protocols require individuals to wear a mask when out, as well as refrain from taking public transportation and visiting places where social distancing cannot be easily maintained, including clubs, bars, department stores, and night markets.
Crew members can choose to quarantine at a hotel, company dorm, or at home if they are not sharing the residence with others.
They will receive two or three polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests during the quarantine and self-health management periods based on their quarantine location, as well as one rapid test.
Crew on short-haul flight
Flight crew members on short-haul international turnaround flights who do not clear customs before returning to Taiwan will also follow different protocols based on whether they had received a booster shot, the CECC said.
Those who received their booster shot at least two weeks prior to their assignment can lead their lives as usual after they return, though they are advised against going to crowded places or large gatherings for the first seven days.
They will receive a PCR test every seven days after returning and a rapid test in between the PCR tests.
Those who don't meet the vaccination requirement have to follow seven days of self-health management protocols upon returning. They will also be required to take a PCR test every seven days.
The CECC first introduced quarantine restrictions for flight crews in March 2020 to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19, and rules have been adjusted based on the situation of the pandemic.
According to the CECC, 99.8 percent of crew members of domestic airlines have received at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 91.1 percent have already gotten their booster shot.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel