Taiwan is set to bar travelers from using its airports to catch connecting flights to other destinations. The ban is to be temporary, taking effect Tuesday and staying in force until April 7. It is intended to halt the spread of COVID-19.
Taiwan has closed its borders to foreign visitors, but its airports have remained busy with passengers in transit. Many of these passengers are Chinese students pursuing degrees in the US and Canada. They have decided to return home as the outbreak worsens in North America, forcing their universities to move classes online.
For these students, Taiwan makes an attractive place for a layover. Though most cross-strait flights are canceled, airlines are still operating a handful of routes between Taiwan and major Chinese cities. By contrast, seats on direct flights from North America to China have become harder to book. Adding a stop in Taiwan can also significantly lower ticket prices.
One student surnamed Du transiting from Los Angeles to Shanghai told RTI that layover times are also shorter when connecting through Taiwan. This student expressed concern that the ban will have a big impact on other Chinese students trying to get home.
However, a student surnamed Zhou heading from Toronto to Shanghai said that the ban will not have such a big impact because other transit options like Hong Kong remain available, and airlines are also adding more direct flights from North America to China.