The education ministry has reopened applications for international students hoping to enter Taiwan's universities, starting Tuesday. The ministry also says it will prioritize international students when making arrangements for quarantine and transportation on arrival in Taiwan.
The ministry's decision aims to help the estimated 10,300 international students who want to study at Taiwan's universities. It will also benefit people who have received scholarships to study Mandarin. Up till now, students have been unable to enter Taiwan.
Students arriving in Taiwan will have to quarantine for 14 days, take two COVID-19 tests, and then monitor their health for a week before they can enter the campus. The CDC says it has already secured 1,500 slots for these students at quarantine centers, and the universities can also make arrangements with approved quarantine hotels. Students can also undergo quarantine in off-campus dormitories, but these dormitories must meet official standards.
The ministry says they hope universities will be heavily involved with helping students plan their arrivals. This way, students will not try to make their own unapproved arrangements, or flood the health ministry with personal inquiries.
Universities must send a representative to be in charge of the quarantined students from the moment they exit customs at the airport and throughout the two-week quarantine. The students will need to buy a SIM card at the airport to stay in contact with quarantine officials throughout their stay.
The ministry says the total cost of quarantine will be NT$21,000 per person. Schools have to help organize advance payment, so that students don't need to bring over a large amount of cash.