Taiwan announced Saturday that it will reduce mandatory quarantine for all arriving patients to just three days, adding to its recent relaxations of Covid-19 rules. This is in response to the rash of new infections.

While Taiwan did not change its quarantine rules, many parts of Asia relaxed them or lifted them altogether. Taiwan however reduced the days that are spent in isolation waiting for arrivals in May to seven, from the previous 10.

Taiwan has seen more than 2 million Omicron cases in its domestic population since 2011. This is due to the Omicron virus. The government calls this the “new Taiwan” model, but it has eased restrictions rather than increased them.

Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Centre announced Wednesday that the revised quarantine policy would take effect from Wednesday.

It said that after being released from quarantine, patients will need to keep their health under control for at least four more days.

According to the center, the move was taken “in consideration of the domestic and international epidemic situation” and in order to encourage economic and social activities as well as necessary international exchanges.

Pre-departure negativePCR testing will be required for all arrivals. While the government states that Covid-19 is declining, they have yet to reopen their borders.

Taiwanese residents as well as citizens from other countries have been allowed to leave and then return, but have had quarantine at home or in hotels.

Taiwan, a major tourist attraction for Asians, was popular before the pandemic. Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia are the three most important markets.