The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) has tightened quarantine restrictions on unvaccinated flight crew taking long-haul flights.
Under the new rules which begin June 12, returning pilots and flight crew members who are not vaccinated will be subject to a five-day home quarantine and a 9-day self-health monitoring period. People under self-health management must wear surgical masks at all times, take their temperature twice a day, and avoid visits to public places and large-scale events.
The stricter restrictions have come during Taiwan’s biggest domestic outbreak since the pandemic began. It is generally believed that the current outbreak is due to former relaxations on quarantine rules for flight crew members. The current requirement is a three-day home quarantine and 11-day self-health monitoring period.
Central Epidemic Command Center Deputy Director Chen Tsung-yen said on Tuesday that vaccinated and unvaccinated crews should be dealt with separately.
Meanwhile, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control said pilots and crew members are a high-risk group because of their job nature. The tightened restrictions aim to encourage them to get vaccinated soon.