The first China Airlines flight to Palau has departed Taoyuan International Airport, signalling the official opening of the Taiwan-Palau travel bubble. A total of 100 travellers made the journey to the Pacific island nation on Thursday. The trip marks the reopening of international tourism in Taiwan after more than a year of restricted travel.
Travellers reported to Taoyuan International Airport at 8:30am on Thursday ahead of mandatory COVID-19 testing. After all testing negative, passengers boarded the plane for a 2:30pm departure.
Joining them on the flight was Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr., who had just concluded a five-day official visit to Taiwan. Health Minister Chen Shih-chung and Transport Minister Lin Chia-lung accompanied Whipps to the airport, and took the opportunity to oversee the implementation of safety measures. Those include mandatory COVID-19 testing and strict separation of travel bubble travellers from all other passengers. Chen, Lin, and Whipps all underwent COVID-19 tests at the airport.
Health Minister Chen says specialist doctors were on hand to ensure passengers’ safety in case of a COVID-19 infection. He says authorities asked passengers to maintain strict social distancing while awaiting test results.