Taiwan’s offshore islands ban all travelers from China regardless of nationality due to epidemic fears
Taiwan News
Date: 2020/02/07
By: Ching-Tse Cheng, Taiwan News, Staff Writer
All travelers from China to be denied entry to Matsu Islands. (Lienchiang County photo)
The Lienchiang Traffic and Tourism Bureau said individuals traveling from China cannot visit the Matsu Islands, even if they are local residents. The government organization had previously banned all Chinese nationals from entering the county, but has now decided to implement stricter travel policies to stop the spread of the virus, reported New Talk.
The Lienchiang office of the Centers of Disease Control (CDC) added that all ferries to the offshore islands have been suspended. Citizens can still travel to China by plane but will not be able to return until a later date.
Lienchiang County Chief Liu Cheng-ying (劉增應) said few Taiwanese had visited the Matsu Islands since the viral outbreak, so the new policy would not affect many citizens. He said the decision had been made to protect the health of local residents and the county government would make adjustments according to the situation, reported CNA. [FULL STORY]
