wing on travel quarantine hotel

How to find a hotel with COVID testing and quarantine facilities wherever you travel

If you're planning to travel abroad, you've probably already spent hours researching the testing requirements for your flight or cruise. But have you thought yet about finding a hotel with coronavirus testing and quarantine facilities at your destination?

The rules are pretty simple for traveling back to the U.S. You have to either take an antigen test a day before your return trip or show documentation that you've recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days, according to the CDC . Meaning that if you get infected while you're on vacation or can't get a test in time, you'll be extending your stay – whether you like it or not. 

"You have to schedule a test for your return trip as soon as possible," advises Joe Cronin , CEO of International Citizens Insurance , which provides insurance to expats, global travelers and digital nomads. "Testing centers often book up quickly, especially just before the weekend when there are large numbers of people scheduled to check out all at the same time."

Despite the recent omicron surge, this summer will be a busy one for international travel. And many Americans will leave without giving much thought to testing or quarantine facilities at their destination.

"A common misconception among travelers is that most hotels will offer COVID testing," says Christine Petersen, CEO of smarTours , a tour operator. "While COVID testing is common at resorts, particularly in the Caribbean, it isn’t common at a regular hotel. You need to do your homework."

Learn more: Best travel insurance

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How to find a testing center before you go

There are online directories of testing facilities worldwide. For example, Borderless , a project of the insurance site SafetyWing, publishes a list of government-approved hotels you can quarantine in, along with coronavirus testing facilities.

Working with a knowledgeable travel adviser also helps. Becca Fritz, a marketing manager for Alluring Africa , a travel agency specializing in safaris, says she makes sure her clients are booked in a property that offers rapid tests. 

"For all the lodges we work within our key destinations like Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and South Africa, we can easily arrange testing directly at the property," she adds.

You can also contact the hotel or tour operator directly. 

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"Travelers shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions," says Rajeev Shrivastava, CEO of VisitorsCoverage.com , a global travel insurance marketplace. Specifically, find out the most recent COVID-19 regulations, as well as the cost of a test and quarantine.

That's what Alex Beene did when he needed to find testing facilities for a trip to Paris. He called his hotel, the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, to see if it could help him. A representative offered two options. Although the Park Hyatt didn't have testing facilities, it could arrange an on-site test. Or he could go to a pharmacy. He chose the former.

"A nurse quickly administered the test and got back my results in a few hours," says Beene, a community coordinator in Nashville, Tennessee. "It made the whole process vastly easier and significantly less stressful."

How to find a quarantine hotel

If you book through a site like Hotels.com , you can access information about quarantine hotels. Properties can update their hygiene and cleanliness policies on the site and provide details about vaccine and testing requirements. Its on-site messaging feature, which offers a direct link between hotels and guests, lets you find information about quarantine facilities, if necessary. “Travelers can quarantine in single occupancy rooms booked on Hotels.com,” adds Melissa Dohmen, a company spokeswoman.

Some countries publish directories of their quarantine hotels. For example, Qatar's Ministry of Public Health has a list of approved quarantine hotels on its site. These properties will always offer ready access to testing because of their status as a designated quarantine hotel.

Other hotels go out of their way to welcome potential quarantine guests. For example, Baha Mar’s Travel with Confidence program guarantees that if you test positive for COVID-19 during your stay, the hotel will offer courtesy accommodations and a daily dining credit of $150 per person per day, for up to 14 days in quarantine. Or, if. you need to return sooner it will fly you from Nassau back to South Florida at no extra cost.

Ideally, a hotel should offer both testing and quarantine options. In the most popular tourist destinations, resorts will let you stay there and quarantine at a reduced rate. Your travel insurance may cover the additional expense, but check the fine print. You'll need at least $5,000 in trip interruption coverage, and depending on the destination, you may require more. 

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Finding a hotel with COVID testing and quarantine facilities is more important than ever

Making the proper arrangements is absolutely critical these days. I know because I recently found myself 12 time zones away from home in the United Arab Emirates with an infected son. 

We'd tested negative when we landed in Dubai. But health regulations in the UAE required us to take another test a few days after arriving, and when we did, my 17-year-old had a positive result. Our hotel, the Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi , helped us arrange on-site tests and a quarantine, which allowed him to focus on recovering and continuing with our trip as soon as possible. 

It wasn't easy, but booking the right hotel in the right place saved us from a world of trouble. 

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What if you forgot to make testing arrangements?

If you're in a hotel, call the concierge. That's the advice of Maria Tsiomou, a spokeswoman for The St. Regis Abu Dhabi . Her hotel offers on-site testing, but it can get busy during times of high occupancy. "We can also direct guests to the closest express result center for a PCR test or arrange in-room PCR testing," she says.

Contact your travel agent. If your travel adviser did a good job choosing the hotel, it should be easy to make arrangements. "We choose hotels based on their ability to arrange for PCR tests for the guests on-site at the hotel," explains Sangeeta Sadarangani, CEO of Crossing , a multinational travel agency headquartered in London.

Call your travel insurance company. Try reaching out to your insurance company by phone or app. Allianz , for example, has the TravelSmart app , that offers 24/7 assistance with almost any trip-related problem or question.

• Online check in
• Manage booking
• Flight status
• Contact us and FAQs
• Travelling with animals
• Travel requirements

No messages.

Note: The rules around hotel quarantine are changing regularly, so be sure to check on the latest information before booking. 

If you’re arriving in Hong Kong, you will be subjected to quarantine requirements. In keeping with government COVID-19 prevention, most arrivals will need to quarantine at a designated hotel ( with a few exceptions ).

Here’s the good news: there is a whole host of designated Hong Kong hotels available to meet a variety of budgets and tastes. Each is implementing special hygiene and safety measures and will only accept quarantining guests.

We’ve scoured the city to highlight the very best options – hotels with special in-room amenities, scenic views, outdoor spaces and concierge services to see guests soundly through their extended stay.

Budget-friendly Quarantine Hotels

Mid-range quarantine hotels, high-end quarantine hotels, ramada hong kong grand .

About as affordable as quarantine gets. From HK$680 per night 1 August 2022 – 31 October 2022

Ramada Hong Kong Grand  stretches 29 storeys above the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, and its 396 rooms look over the bustling shopping and entertainment district. For meals, guests can expect thrice-daily catering, plus coffee and tea-making facilities in-room. You’re also free to order from food delivery apps, which cover the gamut of global cuisines given the variety of nearby restaurants. Across the harbour, the  Ramada Hong Kong Grand View  in North Point district is another well-priced option on the list of designated quarantine hotels (also available through 28 February 2022).

Standard room size:  161 square feet Accepts food delivery : Y

23 Austin Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui; +852 3122 6222

Bridal Tea House Hotel – Hung Hom Gillies Avenue South

Basic, boutique – but cheap; from HK$550 per night from 1 August 2022 – 31 October 2022

Guests opting for the  Bridal Tea House Hotel  receive a basic room with a price to match. This is one of the smallest rooms on the quarantine hotel list, but the bed and bathroom are clean, and guests are provided free Wi-Fi and coffee and tea facilities. With just a small in-room TV, you may be better off relying on your laptop or tablet for entertainment – so stock up on your favourite shows or bring a few books to power through during your stay. It’s worth noting that the hotel does not accept guests under 18 years old.

Standard room size:  108 square feet Accepts food delivery : Y

69 Gillies Avenue South, Hung Hom; +852 2780 6113

Empire Hotel Causeway Bay

Compact yet cosy. From $630 per night from 1 August 2022 – 31 October 2022.

Empire Hotel Causeway Bay  ticks all the boxes for guests looking for comfort at an affordable price. Designed by Japanese architect Koichiro Ikebuchi, the minimalist rooms feature soothing pastel-coloured walls tones, crisp white linens and a calming ambience.  Speedy Wi-Fi will keep you connected to family and, friends, and work, along and there’s with a sizeable desk to serve as a workstation and a bathtub to unwind in at the end of the day. The room also features a flat-screen television and kettle for tea and coffee. 

Standard room size: 130 square feet

Accepts food delivery: Y

８號 Wing Hing St, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong; +852 3692 2333

Pentahotel Hong Kong – Kowloon

Convenient, comfortable and cheap. From $770 per night from 1 August 2022 – 31 October 2022.

The sleek  Pentahotel Hong Kong – Kowloon  in Diamond Hill boasts 695 clean and modern rooms, with design elements inspired by old Hong Kong. Rooms are relatively spacious and well-appointed, and all meals are prepared by the in-house kitchen staff. Possibly the best feature of the rooms is the luxurious rainfall shower head – the perfect place to let all your stress from the day wash away. It’s a touch of luxury at a wallet-friendly price.

Standard room size: 236 square feet

19 Luk Hop Street, San Po Kong, Kowloon; +852 31128222

Ovolo Southside 

Home comforts and entertainment galore. From HK$750 per night, from 1 August 2022 – 31 October 2022.

Ovolo Southside  has crafted a quarantine package that brings home-like comforts to your hotel room. An indoor leafy plant can help enhance your mood; yoga mats, dumbbells and resistance bands can be delivered on request; and mindfulness kits (which include colouring books and brain teasers) help while away the time you spend offline. Rooms have Apple TV and Alexa for catching up on the latest entertainment offerings. Expect speedy, smooth connectivity as Ovolo Southside has upgraded to Wi-Fi 6. Mini bar treats and morning coffee are complimentary, and three meals a day are catered. A quarantine concierge is on hand to help pick up essentials during your stay, while a celebratory bottle of Cava awaits on completion of your quarantine.

Standard room size:  215 square feet Accepts food delivery:  Y

64 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen; +852 3460 8100

Regal Airport Hotel

Hassle-free stay at Hong Kong’s only on-site airport hotel. From HK$850 from 1 August 2022 – 31 October 2022.

The Regal Airport Hotel  is as close as it gets to the airport – it's just next door.  All 1,171 guestrooms have double-glazed soundproofed windows to block out runway noise, helping ensure a sound night’s sleep for those booking the  quarantine package . Desks are large, in-room Wi-Fi is speedy, and there is a good selection of satellite channels on TV. To stay active, you can borrow or purchase wellness equipment such as stepper machines and exercise bikes from the hotel. Meals are catered, but Regal will also accept deliveries from third-party apps.

Standard room size:  290 square feet Accepts food delivery : Y

9 Cheong Tat Road, Hong Kong International Airport, Chek Lap Kok; +852 2286 6888

Regal Oriental Hotel 

Harbour views in a heritage district. From HK$750 per night from 1 August 2022 – 31 October 2022.

Guests staying at  Regal Oriental Hotel  enjoy clean, well laid-out rooms bathed in lots of natural light and views over the Kowloon City area. Rooms have showers, tea and coffee making facilities and cable television. Much like its sister property at the airport, guests can borrow or purchase stepper machines, exercise bikes and wellness equipment from the hotel. All meals are catered, but Regal will also accept deliveries from third-party apps and options in the area are plentiful. Standard room size:  172 square feet Accepts food delivery:  Y

30-38 Sa Po Road, Kowloon City; + 852 6117 9319

Best Western Plus Hotel Hong Kong

Good-value comforts; from HK$700 per night, from 1 August 2022 – 31 October 2022.

Best Western Plus hotels are known for being budget-friendly options for business travellers and tourists seeking a well-located, reliable place to spend the night. At this  outpost in Sai Ying Pun district , quarantining guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, cable and satellite TV channels along with a sizable desk for any remote working. Three meals a day are provided, with menus on rotation, however the hotel also accepts food delivery at the lobby in case you’ve got a particular craving to satisfy.

Standard room size:  190 square feet Accepts food delivery : Y

308 Des Voeux Road West, Sai Ying Pun; +852 3410 3333

JEN Hong Kong by Shangri-La

Convenient and comfortable; from HK$908 from 1 August 2022 – 31 October 2022.

JEN  ticks all the boxes for guests who desire comfort at a fair price: crisp white linens, clean design and a relaxing ambience. Fresh sheets and cleaning supplies are provided (placed outside the room), while speedy Wi-Fi keeps you connected to friends, family and work. There’s also a sizeable desk for work, tea and coffee facilities – as well as satellite and cable channels.

Standard room size:  258 square feet Accepts food delivery : Y

508 Queen’s Road West, Sai Wan; +852 2974 1234

Dorsett Wanchai Hong Kong

A breath of fresh air in Wan Chai. From HK$1,100 a night from 1 August 2022 – 31 October 2022.

Overlooking the Happy Valley racecourse, the  Dorsett Wanchai Hong Kong  has put together a self-quarantine package inclusive of three meals daily and turbo-charged WiFi. You also have the option to order food through meal delivery apps (with the hotel reception delivering these to guest rooms). Guests who sign up to the hotel’s Your Rewards membership programme will also be eligible for up to US$281 credit to be spent on the Foodpanda in-room dining menu, or the Dorsett Mart online shopping platform with everyday items available. Cancellation is free 14 days prior to arrival. Similar quarantine packages are available at the  Dorsett Mongkok  in Kowloon and the  Dorsett Tsuen Wan  in the New Territories (both also available through 28 February 2022);  be sure to confirm details such as food delivery policies and amenities with the specific hotel branch before booking.

Standard room size:  220 square feet Accepts food delivery : Y

387-397 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai; +852 3552 1111

Nina Hotel Island South

The new age of social distancing. From HK$1,200 from 1 August 2022 – 31 October 2022.

Located in the trendy Wong Chuk Hang district,  Nina Hotel Island South  combines the benefits of city living with the relaxation of a suburban retreat, including ample mountain and sea views. The 432 rooms are spacious and some suites have balconies – an especially meaningful offering during quarantine. There’s also the rare option to book two bedrooms with a connecting door, should you arrive in Hong Kong on the same flight with a group of family or friends. The ‘ Stay In Stay Strong ’ quarantine package includes three meals daily. In keeping with the need for social distancing and COVID-19 prevention measures, a team of robots (Genie, Gena and Genus) is at the ready for contactless food delivery. Guests simply input a code they receive from the hotel to open up the meal compartment and then send them on their way.

Standard room size:  320 square feet Accepts food delivery : Y

55 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen; +852 3968 8888

Lan Kwai Fong Hotel @ Kau U Fong 

Tasteful rooms at reasonable prices; from HK$990 per night from 1 August 2022 – 31 October 2022.

Rooms at this  33-storey boutique hotel  near the city’s nightlife district blend Eastern aesthetics and modern comforts. Large windows offer city views, with select rooms on higher floors overlooking the harbour, and some windows can be opened for natural ventilation. Guests have access to free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels and bluetooth speakers. Food is your choice of local Chinese or vegetarian menus, while options from meal delivery apps are plentiful given the many popular area restaurants. The hotel team is on hand to assist with delivering food and daily essentials 24-7 without charge. Standard room size: 205 square feet Accepts food delivery: Y

3 Kau U Fong, Central, Hong Kong; +852 3650 0000

Four Points by Sheraton Hong Kong, Tung Chung

Brand-new digs with ample entertainment options; from HK$1,050 per night from 1 August 2022 – 31 October 2022.

The newly opened  Four Points by Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung  has a crisp, modern aesthetic and easy access to Hong Kong International Airport. Guests quarantining here enjoy a fully catered experience with Asian or Western set menus. If you’re still peckish, 24-hour in-room dining is available, as is food delivery via third-party apps. Free in-room Wi-Fi, gadgets and mind puzzles help pass the time, as will thousands of magazines and newspapers available to read with complimentary PressReader access. The hotel provides laundry liquid upon request for washing items in your room, as standard laundry service isn’t permitted.

Standard room size:  280 square feet Accepts food delivery : Y

9 Yi Tung Road, Tung Chung, Lantau Island; +852 2352 8035

Hotel Indigo

Decor to brighten up your time indoors; from HK$1,480 per night from 28 January 2022 – 31 July 2022.

Hotel Indigo  is a boutique property in Wan Chai on the edge of Lee Tung Avenue. Its 138 rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, cheery mosaic walls and art that references the neighbourhood’s old spice shops and neon signage. Beyond the rooms’ upbeat personalities, guests benefit from perks like Nespresso coffee machines, Bang and Olufsen speakers and bathroom amenities from American fragrance and homecare brand Crabtree and Evelyn. Quarantine packages are inclusive of all meals.

246 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai; +852 3926 3888

Lanson Place Causeway Bay

Elegant interiors for a classy quarantine. From HK$1,599 per night from 1 August 2022 – 31 October 2022.

Lanson Place ’s bright, French-inspired rooms bring a calming presence to quarantine, even as the bustle of Causeway Bay continues at ground level. The quarantine package comes with three meals a day, and a kitchenette in every room contains a mini fridge and microwave oven, while groceries or deliveries are also allowed. Complimentary yoga mats are provided on request, and additional fitness equipment is available to rent.

Standard room size:  376 square feet Accepts food delivery : Y

133 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay; +852 3477 6888

Kerry Hotel Hong Kong

A spacious sanctuary for foodies; from HK$1,906 per night  from 1 August 2022 – 31 October 2022.

On the Hung Hom waterfront, the  Kerry Hotel Hong Kong  offers five-star ‘Quarantine with Kerry’ packages inclusive of accommodation and thrice-daily meals delivered to your doorstep. Dine on specially prepared dishes from the hotel’s kitchen or make requests from the in-room dining menu – allergies and special dietary requirements can be catered to with advanced notice. If you’re hankering after something specific, you can always place an order with Dockyard food court through its designated app or order from a third-party delivery service.

Standard room size:  450 square feet Accepts food delivery : Y

38 Hung Luen Road, Hung Hom; +852 2252 5888

One-Eight-One Hotel & Serviced Residences 

Panoramic views outside and comforts within. From HK$1,964, through 31 July 2022.

Located close to HKU MTR station on Hong Kong Island’s western side,  One-Eight-One  provides uninterrupted 180-degree views across Victoria Harbour from the guestrooms. Generous floor-to-ceiling windows also let ample natural light into the cosy rooms, which feature natural woods and soft furnishings. Other amenities include speedy Wi-Fi, satellite channels and a minibar. Guests get three catered meals a day with a choice of Eastern, Western or vegetarian options. A Nespresso coffee machine and premium Molton Brown toiletries mean you can start each day feeling fresh.

Standard room size:  330 square feet Accepts food delivery : Y

181 Connaught Road West, Sai Wan; +852 3181 1688

The Landmark Mandarin Oriental

Modern minimalist luxe. From HK$3,960 per night, through 31 July 2022.

If you’re looking to quarantine in serious style, a stay at  The Landmark Mandarin Oriental  offers all the creature comforts you could wish for. Packages are inclusive of three set meals per day, with an extensive, carefully curated menu changing weekly. With rooms starting from 450 square feet and reaching up to a palatial 2,250 square feet, chances of cabin fever setting in here are minimal. State-of-the-art technology keeps guests comfortable, connected and entertained – and additional items can be procured upon request.

Standard room size:  450 square feet Accepts food delivery : N (but gifts from friends and family are accepted)

15 Queen’s Road Central, Central; +852 2132 0188

Prices are subject to change, along with featured inclusions. This story was originally published in October 2020 and updated in April 2022

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Do I Need to Tell My Hotel or Airbnb That I’m Quarantining There?

By Matt Ortile

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Much like the rest of the United States, I first began to self-isolate and work from home almost a year ago. I quickly appreciated the privilege of living alone: If I had COVID-19 , I could quarantine easily without putting others at risk. But many of us do live with others, and the slightest possible symptom of illness—or knowledge of having come into contact with the virus—is enough to put any roommate or loved one on edge.

If you or someone you live with has already been inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine , this might be less of a concern. But while the rest of us wait to get vaccinated, it doesn’t hurt to ask: If I can’t quarantine at home, what are my best options?

Many local governments have isolation programs for those with a confirmed case of COVID or those who are exhibiting symptoms of the virus, and cannot quarantine at home. For example, New York City is offering hotel rooms where you can self-isolate, free of charge, if your home does not allow for adequate physical distancing, or you live with someone especially vulnerable to COVID.

Participation in these programs comes with various qualifications. (One New Yorker who called the city’s isolation program shared his experience with Traveler last month: “You call the hotline, someone asks questions, and a taxi picked me up that night.”) So if you live somewhere that has no such offerings, you might have to take matters into your own hands.

When I visited Los Angeles for the holidays, I completed a 14-day post-travel quarantine in an Airbnb upon arrival. During my stay, I never expressed symptoms and—thanks to rigorous safety precautions that involved double-masking and face shields on the plane—still haven’t since I returned to New York. But if I had, say, begun to lose my sense of smell and taste or discovered that I had come into contact with the virus, should I have told my host?

When I reached out to Airbnb to ask, they sent me a link to an announcement about their Health Safety Attestation . It allows hosts to ask guests if they have COVID symptoms or have been “knowingly been recently exposed” to the virus. The goal, says Airbnb, is to “empower hosts with information about health and safety that may be relevant for their preferences and needs.”

With that knowledge, a host can point to Airbnb’s Quarantine and Isolation Stays Policy , which plainly states that, “Guests who present risks of infection due to a positive diagnosis/test, symptoms, or exposure to a confirmed infection case should not use Airbnb for the purpose of self-isolation.” (If a host must cancel a guest’s stay due to COVID, the guest gets a refund. If a guest must cancel their stay because they have COVID, they will still get a refund.)

On the other hand, when I asked Vrbo about quarantine policies, a representative replied: “Vrbo does not allow shared spaces on our platform. This means guests will always get the entire space to themselves and will never have to share the property with the host, which makes Vrbo an ideal lodging option for guests who need to quarantine or self-isolate.” They also shared stories about hosts who offered their vacation homes as emergency housing for healthcare workers who wanted to avoid exposing their families to COVID.

As for hotels, they expect their guests to behave in good faith. At Hotel Figueroa in Los Angeles, the front desk told me they can’t ask for medical information (beyond temperature checks) but trust that guests aren’t knowingly promoting community spread. At the Millennium Hilton New York Downtown, a manager said that someone isolating away from a roommate with COVID would be welcome, but referred those who’ve tested positive to the city’s COVID Hotel Program .

In theory, someone who has COVID but is asymptomatic could discreetly check into a hotel. But in our unprecedented times, we all must be honest with ourselves and each other, in the interest of public health. “We encourage transparency,” says a Vrbo representative. “It’s not mandatory to disclose your purpose of travel but doing so can help the host better accommodate your needs.”

This was a sentiment echoed by various bed and breakfasts I called, especially Dena Finneran of Caldwell House in New York’s Hudson Valley. By being honest, an inn might be able to place you in a room that permits self-isolation—a private entrance, even with an outdoor space—while keeping you away from a smaller number of people compared to a hotel. Whereas dishonesty puts lives in danger. “I would not want someone to just come in and then not tell me [they’re sick] and then 24 hours later, my staff has COVID,” says Finneran.

When you need to isolate outside your home, you’re doing it to protect those you love. Don’t forget to also protect those looking after you. “Kindness helps,” says Finneran. “The pandemic is something beyond all our control. We all have to work together.”

We’re reporting on how COVID-19 impacts travel on a daily basis. Find our latest coronavirus coverage here , or visit our complete guide to COVID-19 and travel .

How I survived a 15-day hotel quarantine

Feb 10, 2021 • 7 min read

Sarah in her airport issue hazmat suit, some of her meals were ordered from outside, on the balcony of her hotel room where she spent 15 days. ©Sarah Clayton-Lea

With more countries introducing  mandatory hotel quarantine for travelers arriving from other countries, one writer, who has just completed a 15-day hotel quarantine in Vietnam , shares her tips on how to get through it.

Wringing out my gym gear in a bathtub before hanging it on a thin piece of rope (tied between a door and my hotel balcony) is not how I imagined I’d be spending a Saturday night. There was an interruption to get my temperature checked at 5pm on the dot. I was expecting it, as this is the norm in hotel quarantine. It turned out to be just one of the many things that I had to get used to when I recently spent 15 days quarantined in a hotel in Ho Chi Minh , Vietnam. Quarantine was…  Weird. Necessary. And yes, lonely. It simultaneously went by oh-so slowly and yet quite quickly.

One year ago, following the initial outbreak of COVID-19, Vietnam was one of the first countries to introduce mandatory quarantine for arrivals . Even before recording its first case on the 23rd January, Vietnam had already begun to issue public health warnings about this mysterious new virus. They tightened borders in March 2020, suspending inbound tourist travel; even now, only "business experts" on government approved chartered flights and Vietnamese nationals on repatriation flights are allowed to enter. All travelers need a PCR test between 3-5 days in advance of flying, and quarantine in an assigned facility is mandatory. The current national COVID-19 tally is at 2001, including 35 deaths.

For a country that shares a large part of its land border with China, their handling of the pandemic is impressive. After the initial outbreak, some second and third waves cropped up, but each time Vietnam reacted fast, locking down entire towns when required. I was living here until March last year, and was on a work trip to Thailand when Vietnamese borders shut. I wasn’t surprised to hear the news, but I didn’t expect to only be able to return to Ho Chi Minh 10 months later. Returning to Vietnam was time consuming (I never want to hear the word "notarize" again) and expensive.  I stayed put in Thailand while I made my plans to re-enter, which included booking a quarantine hotel for 15 days at my own expense.

The cost of hotel quarantine

There was a choice of 20 government-approved hotels to choose from and my requirement was simple: which room would be least likely to make me lose my mind? I chose a 3-star hotel that cost me about $1100 (€900) for 15 nights. For that price in Ho Chi Minh you could usually stay somewhere super swish. During a global pandemic? I had a room with twin single beds and a little desk that became my office and dining table for three meals a day.

I arrived at the hotel late at night via pre-approved private transport in my shiny new blue hazmat suit, which I was handed on arrival at the airport. Vietnam doesn’t do things by halves when it comes to Covid protocol. I checked in via QR code, unpacked in my new home and wrote out a countdown of the 15 days to be crossed off each morning. I got through the first couple of days fine. It would be just like having a duvet day for two whole weeks, right? Very wrong.

Workouts during hotel quarantine 

In my head, I figured I would just keep busy with my editor work at bigseventravel.com , do a few workouts and time would fly. In reality, I was digging into my emergency stash of Tayto crisps by day three. The only human contact I had was a temperature check twice a day and my two COVID tests. I communicated with the hotel over Whatsapp and swapped cute emojis with the hotel receptionist on the group chat, who I grew unnaturally fond of for dropping off my outside deliveries. I felt like Joaquin Phoenix in Her , but not as well dressed. Comfort over glamour is quarantine 101.

The only exciting part of my day was receiving deliveries, so I made good use of local food and shopping apps and online workouts with my 3kg weights and yoga mat were balanced out with some Emmental mac and cheese. My first workout involved high knees and squat jumps; the receptionist Whatsapped me to ask if I was OK. “We just worry that there is something wrong with you.” Nothing was right , anyway.

Food deliveries and room service

During my stay, my room door had an alarm that went off whenever I opened it, mainly to collect food that had been left on the table outside. Room rate included daily breakfast, which was a tasty variation of noodle soup, breads, cakes and fruit. Strong coffee was served with condensed milk and ice, proper cà phê sữa đá style.  Lunch and dinner I ordered from outside restaurants – Ho Chi Minh has incredible Vietnamese food options so I switched meals up each day. You can receive items from outside, but apart from rubbish, nothing can leave the room during the quarantine period and no other person can come inside. There were several plastic-wrapped sets of fresh sheets and towels in the wardrobe – housekeeping isn’t allowed to enter the room, so I changed the bed covers myself. I ordered cleaning supplies online to keep my room tidy and did my laundry in the bathtub.

Work, exercise, Netflix, repeat 

I had read some quarantine tips before I arrived so I tried to keep a normal-ish routine Monday-Friday, sticking to a solid 8-9 hours of work, exercise, dinner and Netflix. Both weekends in quarantine were a bore. I did yoga, drawing, reading and had a bath and it was still only 12pm on Saturday. I tried to stay offline but ended up mindlessly scrolling on Bumble. My friend drove to the hotel and waved to me from the street below, dropping off a very welcome gift bag of snacks and sheet masks. I did my nails. Twice. I felt the need to "hear" my own voice (any voice would have done the trick, actually) and had regular loud sing songs to an Easy 80s playlist on Spotify. To whoever was unlucky enough to be staying next door in room 601, I’m sorry.

I naively had high hopes of being really productive during the 15 days, smashing through work and brushing up on languages. I wanted to improve my Italian and learn the basics of Vietnamese again, but the only Vietnamese phrase I learned was "please update network" for the Smart TV, and my quarantine Italian education was solely in the form of pasta. I thought that with no distractions I would be able to focus better than ever, but after just a week inside the same room, I felt myself becoming a little foggy brained. Having no distractions became a distraction itself.

Staying connected

Online tips for self-isolation all mentioned the importance of checking in with loved ones, so I tried my best to follow that advice. I’m not a major fan of personal Zoom calls but I made an effort to keep in touch with friends and family so that I didn’t feel too isolated. I managed to get through the 15 days with only one cry and a few stressed out cigarettes on the balcony, which was way better than the total emotional meltdown I had half expected.

I was due to get out on a Sunday once my final COVID test results came back but I wasn’t told an exact time, so the final 24 hours stretched on forever as I waited for official release approval from the Health Department. Yoga mat in hand, I was free. Being able to now settle into a country that feels safe and has such a good handle on the virus is a privilege and one well worth half a month of pretty cushy quarantine. I had thought it would feel overwhelming being outside again in crowds but it was fine and I celebrated my release with friends on a rooftop bar, just like nothing had ever happened. I guess those two weeks of solitude had no lasting effect – apart from my love for that Easy 80s playlist.

Editor's note: during  COVID-19  there are restrictions on travel. Check the latest guidance before departure, and always follow local health advice.

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Travel Quarantines: Enduring the Mundane, One Day at a Time

Running a half-marathon in your hotel room. Hearing the sea, but not seeing it. Fixating on food. Here’s how some travelers passed the time during their mandatory quarantines.

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By Lauren Sloss

May Samali knew she’d reached her limit when she saw a tentacle emerging from her hotel dinner in Sydney, Australia.

“I called downstairs and said, ‘I’m a vegan now, thank you!’” she said. “It was just so much fish. I’d gotten to the point where even thinking about it made me gag.”

Ms. Samali swore off the seemingly unlimited seafood while in the middle of a required quarantine in the Hotel Sofitel in Sydney this December and early January. An executive coach, she was repatriating back to Australia after her U.S. work visa expired. In addition to an excess of fish, Ms. Samali was confined to her room all day, forbidden from stepping outside, for two weeks.

Air travelers around the world are finding themselves in similar situations, enduring mandatory government quarantines in hotels as they travel to countries that are very serious about containing the coronavirus.

Their quarantine is not the cushy experience of shorter-term quarantines or “resort bubbles” found in some destinations like Kauai and the British Virgin Islands , where you are able to roam relatively freely on a resort’s expansive grounds while waiting for a negative coronavirus test.

This is the more extreme, yet typical experience of quarantine life. These mandatory quarantines involve confinement to your room, 24 hours a day, for up to two weeks (assuming you test negative, that is). And with some exceptions, you are footing the bill — quarantine in New South Wales, Australia , for example, costs about $2,300, or 3,000 Australian dollars for a two-week quarantine for one adult, and up to 5,000 Australian dollars for a family of four to quarantine for two weeks (in January, Britain announced a mandatory 10-day quarantine from high-risk areas with a similar cost of about $2,500 for one adult).

Travelers now journeying to countries with mandatory hotel quarantines, which also include New Zealand, mainland China and Tunisia, generally must have compelling reasons to do so — visiting ailing family members, “essential” business travel or permanent relocation.

Most accept the inconvenience and inevitable claustrophobia of the quarantine as the price of traveling. But while there can be comfort in establishing some kind of routine resembling normal life, travelers find themselves craving human connection, fresh air and, well, different food (the staff at the Sofitel happily accommodated Ms. Samali’s request; she is still off fish).

In general, people are still traveling but far less — the first two months of 2021 have seen fewer than half the number of air passengers as the same period in 2020, according to checkpoint travel numbers released by the Transportation Security Administration , which includes all domestic and international departures from the United States.

Travel quarantine might seem manageable, even familiar, for those who have been living in places with shelter-in-place orders and working from home. Pete Lee, a San Francisco-based filmmaker, wasn’t concerned about the quarantine when he flew to Taiwan for work and to visit family.

“I was a little bit cocky when I first heard about the requirement,” said Mr. Lee, during his eighth day at the Roaders Hotel in Taipei, Taiwan. “I was inside my San Francisco apartment for 22 out of 24 hours a day! But it’s a surprisingly intense experience. Those two hours make a big difference.”

Destination: unknown

Much of quarantine life is determined by your hotel. And depending on where you are traveling, you may get to choose your quarantine hotel, or you may be assigned upon arrival. Mr. Lee, in Taiwan, was able to choose and book his quarantine hotel from a list compiled by the Taiwanese government, complete with information about location, cost, room size and the presence (or lack thereof) of windows. He also footed the bill.

Similarly, Ouiem Chettaoui, a public policy specialist who splits her time between Washington, D.C., and Tunisia, was able to choose a hotel for her weeklong quarantine when returning to Tunis with her husband in September; she based her selection, the Medina Belisaire & Thalasso on price and proximity to the Mediterranean Sea (“We couldn’t see it, but we could hear it … at least, we told ourselves we could!” she said).

Brett Barna, an investment manager who relocated to Shanghai with his fiancée in November, could select a district in the city, but not the hotel itself. In an attempt to improve their odds, Mr. Barna chose the upscale Huangpu district where, he hoped, the hotels would be higher quality.

“There were four possible hotels in the district, three of which were nice enough. And then there was the budget option, the Home Inn,” he said. Mr. Barna and his fiancée, to their dismay, ended up paying for quarantine in that option, which had peeling wallpaper and bleach stains on the floor thanks to aggressive cleaning protocols.

In Australia and New Zealand, there’s no choice in the matter — upon landing, your entire flight is bused to a quarantine hotel with capacity. In most instances, travelers do not know where they are going until the bus pulls up at the hotel itself.

Joy Jones, a coach and educator who is based in San Francisco, traveled to New Zealand with her husband, a New Zealand citizen, and two young daughters in January. She learned before their departure that they would have no say where in the country they would be quarantined.

“That was probably the hardest part,” she said. “I could put together a bag of activities for my older daughter, and plan on doing laundry in the sink. But not having an answer to where we’d be — after more than 21 hours of flying, with masks — would we have to get another flight? A three-hour bus ride?” They didn’t. Ms. Jones and her family were taken to Stamford Plaza in Auckland, just 25 minutes from the airport.

Pim Techamuanvivit and her New Zealander husband, however, were not so lucky. After arriving in Auckland from San Francisco, they were promptly directed to board another flight to Christchurch, and to the Novotel Christchurch Airport hotel. “At that point, we just really, really wanted to get to the hotel!” said Ms. Techamuanvivit, the chef-owner of Nari and Kin Khao restaurants in San Francisco and the executive chef of Nahm in Bangkok.

Relief at arriving — finally — might be the initial reaction, but it doesn’t take long for reality to set in. The hotel room is all that you’ll see for a not insignificant period of time.

As Adrian Wallace, a technology project manager who was quarantined at the Sydney Hilton in August after visiting his ailing father in Britain, put it: “That moment when the door slams … it’s reminiscent of the opening scene of ‘The Shawshank Redemption’!” Mr. Wallace said, referring to the 1994 prison movie with Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman.

Passing the time

The challenge is managing the tedium. Working remotely helped pass the time for a number of the travelers, including Tait Sye, a senior director at the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, who traveled to Taipei, Taiwan, from Washington, D.C. in November. Mr. Sye attempted to maintain East Coast hours for the majority of his quarantine at the Hanns House Hotel , working from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Mr. Wallace ran a half marathon around his Sydney hotel room (he was unable to adjust the in-room air-conditioner and got very sweaty). Mr. Barna and his fiancée in Shanghai had date nights on Zoom, since official policy required them to quarantine in separate rooms. A major highlight of their days came when a hotel employee, clad in full, hazmat-style P.P.E., knocked on the door and pointed an infrared thermometer at their heads. They were not allowed outside.

In New Zealand, travelers who test negative for the virus are allowed on the hotel grounds for supervised constitutionals after checking in with guards at multiple checkpoints (masks and distancing are still required, and the rules can quickly change if there is any threat of an outbreak in the country). The ability to get fresh air and walk was crucial for Ms. Jones, and a key part of the routine she created for her family. Other aspects included morning yoga, remote school, nap times, playtime and art projects (her husband worked remotely from the bathroom).

“We decorated a paper horse that we hung in our window — every day, a different part of it — that was a favorite activity. We’d have dance parties. And we’d watch a movie every night. We did what we could to bring some fun into it,” Ms. Jones said.

Three meals a day

Meals become very important in quarantine life, to mark the passing of the time and as regular occurrences to break up the monotony of the day. Food quality, though, varies widely, as Mr. Sye learned in Taipei, where meals were ordered from nearby restaurants.

He recounted the highs of a Michelin-starred meal from Kam’s Roast Goose and the thoughtfulness of a Thanksgiving dinner decorated with a paper turkey to the low of an absolutely terrible pizza (at least it was accompanied by a beer).

For Ms. Techamuanvivit who documented her quarantine in Christchurch on Twitter , ordering food and grocery delivery was a life-saver. “I’m a chef. I suppose I am, shall we say, a snob!” she said. “As a restaurateur, I don’t have much love for UberEats. But ordering Indian takeaway proved to be important.” (Others who had delivery options available similarly cited them as game-changing.)

Ms. Techamuanvivit spiced up hotel meals with leftover Indian pickles and found that Greek tzatziki sauce ordered from the grocery store worked well as a salad dressing. She and her husband also treated themselves to nice bottles of wine from the hotel restaurant’s wine list. (In Australia and New Zealand, quarantined guests were limited to a delivery of six beers or one bottle of wine per person per day, perhaps to ward off belligerence. In Shanghai, alcohol was not allowed.)

Seeking connection on social media

There are Facebook groups dedicated to hotel quarantine, by region and even by specific hotel , where members share tips for boiling eggs using in-room kettles and “cooking” with an iron. They were also a source of community; Mr. Wallace, who learned of the Sydney Hilton’s Facebook group while on the bus from the airport, participated in a daily Zoom call with members of the group (the meals of the day were a constant topic of conversation).

Mr. Lee moderated filmmaking conversations on Clubhouse , an invitation-only social media app, and spent time on Tinder while in quarantine; he connected with a woman who was nearing the end of her confinement in another hotel across town.

Ms. Jones documented her family’s quarantine experience on her private Instagram account, showing forts made of blankets, paper airplane competitions and “bowling” with water bottles and a crumpled ball made of paper. She was touched that friends and family, both in New Zealand and in the United States, sent her family meals, treats and toys for her daughters in response to her posts.

“It was a really cool way to feel love, and connection, from such an isolated space,” she said.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation.

New hotel quarantine rules for air travellers are now in effect. Here's what you need to know

Rules off to bumpy start with jammed phone lines, confusion over exemptions.

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Beginning Monday, most air passengers entering Canada must comply with new travel measures, including a pricey hotel quarantine.

The new regulations are off to a bumpy start, with complaints from some travellers that they can't get through on the government phone line to book their hotel, or they can't figure out if they're exempt from the rules.

Here's the latest on what we know, including the cost of the hotel quarantine.

How do I book a room?

Most air passengers will now have to take a COVID-19 test after landing in Canada and spend up to three days of their 14-day quarantine period in a designated hotel to await their test results.

Passengers must pre-book their hotel stay before arriving in Canada.

On Friday, the federal government  posted online a list  of approved quarantine hotels. Eighteen are currently listed.

There is no option to book online, so travellers  must call  a dedicated phone line to reserve a room.

Since the phone line launched on Friday, CBC News has received several complaints from travellers that they couldn't get through on the phone to book their accommodation. 

I’m finding the same thing! First the recording said it was a three hour wait, now I can’t even get on hold that keeps disconnecting me. WHY CAN’T WE BOOK ONLINE??? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/quarantinehotelfail?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#quarantinehotelfail</a> &mdash; @DianeAkam

"The hold music that's playing for, like, three, three and a half hours, suddenly it stops and the call gets dropped," Vineeth Nair said on Sunday, after trying — without success — since Friday to book his hotel.

Nair, a permanent Canadian resident living in New York, is set to fly to Toronto on Thursday due to a work transfer. But he said he's worried he won't be able to reserve his hotel in time.

"It's a state of confusion right now. First of all, I'm moving countries, so it's not making it easy for me."

On Tuesday, the Public Health Agency of Canada told CBC News that the phone problem is being addressed and that government officials at the airport will assist arriving travellers who have not yet been able to reserve their room. 

Also on Tuesday, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc  said at a news conference that it would be up to the discretion of border officers whether to fine people who arrive in Canada with no hotel booking. 

Passengers who successfully get through on the phone line must book a room for three nights — even though they only have to stay for as long as it takes to get their test results.

Travellers who test negative can leave immediately and finish the rest of their 14-day quarantine at home. Those who need to take a connecting domestic flight can book it at this point and fly home.

• Woman flying home from U.K. says an expiring visa should be essential travel

People who test positive will be required to finish their quarantine at a designated government facility.

PHAC said the decision about whether people allowed to check out early could get a rebate would be up to the hotel. 

"Travellers should be prepared to pay for a three-night stay," spokesperson Tammy Jarbeau said in an email. 

Hotel stay could be much cheaper than $2,000

When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the new hotel quarantine rules on Jan. 29, he said the cost of the three-night hotel stay is "expected to be more than $2,000."

But it turns out the total, which includes meals and transportation, may be much less than that — depending on where you stay, as prices vary widely.

The Acclaim hotel in Calgary charges $611, including taxes, for the three nights, an employee said.

That's a significant price difference from the Westin Wall Centre Vancouver Airport hotel, which, according to an employee, charges $1,827, including taxes.

WATCH | Frustration abounds as new hotel quarantine rules come into effect:

Frustration abounds as hotel quarantine rules come into effect

A traveller flying to Toronto, who did not want her name published, showed CBC News her quarantine hotel booking confirmation at the Four Points by Sheraton. It totalled $1089.41 including taxes.

At a news conference on Friday, Health Minister Patty Hajdu said the final price tag is up to the individual hotel.

"The hotels are doing the billing directly, and different hotels will have different rates."

PHAC said that, at this time, the government won't charge travellers for their post-arrival COVID-19 test.

Will I be exempt?

CBC News has received dozens of inquiries from people who travelled abroad for non-discretionary reasons — such as for school or work — and want to know if they're exempt from the hotel quarantine requirement when returning home.

Alexis Pearman of Mississauga, Ont., is set to fly home on March 10 after completing a masters in physiotherapy at Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland.

Pearman said she has contacted numerous government departments but has yet to confirm whether she and her fellow-Canadian classmates will be exempt from the hotel quarantine.

"As the days go on, it kind of becomes more disheartening and more frustrating, not having an answer and then ... trying to have to figure out how we're going to pay for this quarantine," she said.

When CBC News asked PHAC for specific details about exemptions, it sent a link to a new government information site.

According to the site, people already exempt from the 14-day quarantine — such as essential workers, cross-border workers and people receiving medical treatment — are also exempt from the hotel quarantine.

Unaccompanied minors are also exempt, as are people with compassionate cases, such as those attending a funeral, if they get government pre-approval .

• Deferral of hotel quarantine rules for temporary foreign workers a 'welcome change'

But in general, travellers who are required to quarantine — including students returning home from abroad — will have to book a room in a quarantine hotel. That includes people who have already received the COVID-19 vaccine, as they are not exempt at this time . 

"Our government has been extremely clear that very few exemptions will be consented to, and they're really related to essential travellers," Hajdu said on Friday.

What if I don't comply?

Travellers who don't comply with the hotel quarantine rules "may be subject to a range of enforcement measures under the  Quarantine Act ,"  PHAC spokesperon Jarbeau said.

She added that maximum penalties include a fine of up to $750,000 and/or six months in prison. 

Corrections

• An earlier version of this story contained a graphic which incorrectly stated that people entering Canada by land must quarantine at a hotel and get a COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours before departure. The hotel quarantine only applies to air passengers. Land travellers must take their test in within 72 hours before arrival at the border, not departure. Feb 23, 2021 11:06 AM ET

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Business reporter

Based in Toronto, Sophia Harris covers consumer and business for CBC News web, radio and TV. She previously worked as a CBC videojournalist in the Maritimes where she won an Atlantic Journalism Award for her work. Contact: [email protected]

• @sophiaharrisCBC

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Novotel Moscow City 4 stars Family friendly Ecocertified

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Description

Novotel Moscow City

Hotel that makes every moment matter

The Novotel Moscow City is the only hotel in the famous Moscow City business area of the capital among the highest skyscrapers in Europe, with exciting sky decks and restaurants with panoramic views. The hotel is perfect for business and holiday. Rooms with panoramic windows, a restaurant and a bar, the InBalance welness center, 8 conference rooms, and an underground parking are at guests' disposal.

Novotel Moscow City has a good location within walking distance to the one of the largest Afimall City Shopping and Entertainment Mall, Expocenter, Moscow River Embankment and Krasnaya Presnya Park. The Hotel is also easily accessible by the public transport: several subway and public transport stations, including express to Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo International Airports.

Hospitality and high standards of one of the largest hotel operators in the world Accor in a modern business district of Russia. Novotel Moscow City is perfect for relaxation, ideal for business. Welcome!

Take advantage of the opportunity to book a buffet breakfast on the website for the price of 1,700 rubles per person! The cost of the breakfast when paid at the reception and in the MC Traders restaurant is 1,950 rubles per person.

Hotel extras

Free Wi-Fi, newspapers and maps of Moscow. 5 minutes to the Expo Center.

A minute to the Afimall shopping center with lots of shops, cafes, cinemas.

2 minutes to the highest observation deck in Europe and no-limit ice cream.

4 metro stations and Moscow Central Circle station near the hotel.

15-minutes drive to the Kremlin.

Our accommodation(s)

Page out of

Superior Room with queen-size bed

• 25 m² / 269 sq ft
• Bedding 1 x Double bed(s)
• Views: Courtyard View

From NaN RUB NaN RUB Note  *

Fees and taxes included

1 night | 1 adult

Superior Room with 2 twin beds

• Bedding 2 x Twin bed(s)
• Views: City View

Deluxe room with a double bed

Executive Room with king-size bed.

• 34 m² / 365 sq ft
• Bedding 1 x King size bed(s) and 1 x Double sofa bed(s)

Executive Deluxe Room with double bed and sofa.

• 40 m² / 430 sq ft
• Bedding 1 x King size bed(s) and 1 x Single sofa bed(s)

Deluxe with a double bed for guests with limited mobility

• Accessible room

Executive room for guests with limited mobility with King-size bed

• 33 m² / 355 sq ft

Junior suite for guests with limited mobility with a King-size bed

• 58 m² / 624 sq ft
• Bedding 1 x Double bed(s) and 1 x Double sofa bed(s)

Junior Suite Room with king-size bed and sofa

Suite Room with king-size bed and sofa

• 54 m² / 581 sq ft

City Suite with 1 King-size bed and sofa

• 75 m² / 807 sq ft

Hotel location

Presnenskaya Naberezhnaya, 2, Presnenskaya Naberezhnaya 2, Russia 123112  Moscow Russia

GPS : 55.748069, 37.53685

Contact email [email protected]

Click to copy the email address

Access and transport

Kiev railway station

Railway station

Access: 4.9 km  /  3.04 mi     15 min drive

Tourist attraction

Access: 5.6 km  /  3.48 mi     15 min drive

Historic monument

Access: 6.3 km  /  3.91 mi     15 min drive

TRETYAKOV GALLERY

Access: 7.5 km  /  4.66 mi     20 min drive

Access: 7.5 km  /  4.66 mi     18 min drive

Shuttle on call, Shuttle scheduled

Saint Basil's Cathedral

Access: 7.5 km  /  4.66 mi     15 min drive

BOLSHOI THEATER

Opera/symphony/concert hall

Access: 8.4 km  /  5.22 mi     20 min drive

"Krasnaya Presnya" park

Access: 2.1 km  /  1.3 mi     15 min walk  /  7 min drive

"Afimall City" shopping center

Shopping district

Access: 200 m  /  0.12 mi     5 min walk

Hotel services

Check-in from 03:00 PM - Check out up to 12:00 PM

• Wheelchair accessible

Fitness center

• Air conditioning
• Meeting rooms
• 100% Non Smoking Property
• Room service

MC Traders offers a wide range of delicious international cuisine and cooking classes. The guests can enjoy Early bird breakfast from 4 am; hold a meeting during a business lunch and in the evening relax next to a real fireplace in the bar.

MC TRADERS BAR

Located in the hotel lobby, the MC Traders lounge bar is the ideal place to relax. A wide range of drinks and snacks is available to suit all tastes.

4 options for you to chose from depending on your tastes. A snack at reception from 4AM. A buffet breakfast. For those in a hurry, hot drinks, orange juice and croissants served at the bar. Room service.

At our charming wellness and fitness center, you can enjoy our 2 saunas, 2 hammams (Turkish baths), relaxation rooms and massage treatments. Our mission is to make sure you can enjoy complete relaxation.

Meetings & Events

Our guest reviews

100% genuine reviews from our guests

ALL Rating  4.5/5  2,776 reviews

TripAdvisor Rating  4.5/5  1,821 reviews

Good loacation & Cozy Environment

Customer review rating 5.0/5

Anonymous Business - 3/16/2024 Confirmed reviews ALL

It was my first time staying in this hotel. It was beyond my expectations. In general; the hotel is clean well orginized and pay attention to their guest’s satisfaction.

Dear Burak! Thank you very much for your glowing review regarding your stay at Novotel Moscow City! We are thrilled to hear that you have a great impression about your stay, as well as our hotel team! It is a pleasure for us to bring comfort and positive emotions to our Guests providing courteous, warm and welcoming service. We are glad that you highly evaluated our work! We are looking forward to welcoming you back at our hotel! Warmest regards, Irina Naumova Quality and Attitude Manager.

Wonderful Stay as always !!

TripAdvisor rating 5.0/5

andyrocks_globe 3/5/2024 TripAdvisor review

During my recent stay at Novotel Moscow City from 9th to 22nd February, I was pleasantly surprised by the warm reception I received from the duty manager Marika. Her friendly demeanor and efficient handling of check-in made me feel welcome and valued as a guest as always. I also want to extend my appreciation to the night manager Maria for her attentiveness and quick response to any requests or concerns I had during my stay. Her professionalism and dedication to ensuring a comfortable experience for guests did not go unnoticed. The F&B Manager Darina and her associate Yulia deserves special recognition for their exceptional service and attention towards the incredible experience. I am extremely glad with the fact that how she is concerned with every details to make the valued guest feel exceptional during the stay. Lastly, I would like to express my deepest gratitude towards Deputy GM Marina for her overall management of the hotel. Her leadership and commitment to guest satisfaction were evident throughout my stay, and I truly felt well taken care of under her supervision.

Dear Andy! Thank you very much for your glowing review regarding your stay at Novotel Moscow City! We are thrilled to hear that you have a great impression about your stay, as well as our hotel team! It is a pleasure for us to bring comfort and positive emotions to our Guests providing courteous, warm and welcoming service. We are glad that you highly evaluated our work! We are looking forward to welcoming you back at our hotel! Warmest regards, Irina Naumova Quality and Attitude Manager.

Fantastic place

Customer review rating 4.5/5

Anonymous Friends - 1/14/2024 Confirmed reviews ALL

Good location, near to a big mall ( 4 minutes of walk ) were everything you need is available.

Dear Saud! Thank you for your kind feedback. We are glad to know that you enjoyed your stay with us. Looking forward to welcoming you back. Sincerely, Irina Naumova Quality and Attitude Manager.

Well located

Customer review rating 4.0/5

Vitaly Y. Business - 12/9/2023 Confirmed reviews ALL

1. Process of lamp light replacement should be managed more effectively. 2. It is too noisy in the inner rooms - noise from events (bad sound isolation) 3. All other aspects are on the good level.

Dear Vitaly! Thank you for your kind feedback. We are glad to know that you enjoyed your stay with us. Looking forward to welcoming you back.

well located, good stay

Davit S. Business - 12/9/2023 Confirmed reviews ALL

Thank you for everything?

Dear Davit! Thank you for your kind feedback. We are glad to know that you enjoyed your stay with us. Looking forward to welcoming you back.

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• 868 reviews 9.5/10 Location
• 1,449 reviews 7.5/10 Room
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• 514 reviews 7.7/10 Cleanliness
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• 194 reviews 7.1/10 Room
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• 10 reviews 5.3/10 Amenities
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• 204 reviews 6/10 Room
• 156 reviews 8.3/10 Service
• 130 reviews 9.5/10 Breakfast
• 69 reviews 7.4/10 Cleanliness
• 68 reviews 5.4/10 Comfort
• 26 reviews 4.9/10 Amenities
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• 117 reviews 6.6/10 Room
• 81 reviews 8.5/10 Service
• 51 reviews 9.8/10 Breakfast
• 38 reviews 7.7/10 Cleanliness
• 36 reviews 5.9/10 Comfort
• 6 reviews 5.3/10 Amenities
• 35 reviews 9.5/10 Location
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• 52 reviews 8.7/10 Service
• 34 reviews 9.7/10 Breakfast
• 25 reviews 7.9/10 Cleanliness

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Price from: 1 night for 1 person in the room category identified within the same price range, excluding additional services and breakfast. This refers to the lowest public price, including all taxes ( VAT and tourist tax included) for the accommodation concerned, found on https://all.accor.com/ site today, for a one-night stay in the next 20 days . Varies according to period and availability. The price is only guaranteed at the time of booking. All bookings (foreign) are payable in the local currency where the hotel is situated. Only the amount confirmed during the booking in the hotels local currency is guaranteed. An estimated conversion in your local currency may be given for reference but is not part of the contract. Your bank may charge you bank fees and/or exchange fees at the time of payment.

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• How long should you stay? KAYAK users usually book their accommodation in Moscow for 3 days.
• Moscow is a vast city. If you would like to be within walking distance of key attractions, look for hotels near Red Square and the Kremlin, such as the Assambleya Nikitskaya Hotel.
• For cheap accommodation in Moscow, consider the Partizanskaya area, which features a good choice of budget hotels near a metro station, including Vega Hotel & Convention Center.
• There are many 5-star luxury hotels in the cultural heart of Moscow. The Four Seasons Hotel Moscow and The St. Regis Moscow Nikolskaya are two excellent examples.
• Stylish boutique hotels are also in abundance in the city centre. Hotels such as the Golden Apple Boutique Hotel and Assambleya Nikitskaya Hotel put you near Red Square and The Kremlin.
• Arbat Street forms the heart of Moscow’s Arbat District, the oldest part of the city, and is home to myriad affordable accommodation, such as Karlov Most Hostel.
• A great area for nightlife is Kitay-Gorod, where an array of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs join a wide selection of hotels to suit all budgets, such as the cheap Good Mood Hostel or boutique Golden Apple Boutique Hotel.

FAQs when booking a hotel in Moscow

Are there good hotels near moscow airport.

There are three major international airports serving Moscow: Sheremetyevo International Airport, Moscow Domodedovo Airport, and Vnukovo International Airport. Several hotels are located within the vicinity of each airport. Good choices include Novotel Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport, Ramada Moscow Domodedovo, and Vnukovo Green Palace Hotel.

Which hotels in Moscow offer especially good views?

A number of luxury hotels in the city centre boast spectacular views. Two excellent choices are the Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow and the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow, which both offer breathtaking vistas of the Kremlin, Red Square and St. Basil's Cathedral from guest rooms and restaurants.

What hotels in Moscow offer especially good breakfast?

The sophisticated and excellently-rated Villa Kadashi Boutique Hotel situated in the Yakimanka district, across the river from Red Square, offers an excellent continental breakfast with fresh pastries and juice to complement hearty egg and sausage dishes. Meanwhile, Warsaw Hotel, situated a 10-minute walk from Gorky Park, offers a free breakfast buffet.

Which neighbourhoods are close to Moscow’s central station?

Travellers departing for St. Petersburg will be voyaging out of Leningradsky Station in northeast Moscow. The city’s oldest railway terminal, the station is surrounded by a wide selection of accommodation. Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya is a top-rated option with a swimming pool, sauna, and fitness room.

What hotel area is especially good for shopping in Moscow?

Moscow’s Arbat District or Old Arbat features a network of historic streets that are lined with shops selling local souvenirs and handicrafts. There are many hotels in this area, such as the 4-star Mercure Arbat Moscow, and the city centre is only a short metro ride away. Alternatively, GUM is an iconic shopping arcade situated directly on Red Square.

Where to stay in Moscow?

Hotels adjacent to TsUM and in Northern Administrative Okrug or Krasnoselsky District are usually very popular with KAYAK users.

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Suharevka Hostel & Mini Hotel is very popular with users who want to stay within walking distance of TsUM.

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Hotel «Moscow Marriott Imperial Plaza», Moscow

Deluxe with Queen-size bed

One-room with a queen-size bed, a unique view of the Stalin high-rise

Deluxe with King-size bed

Studio room with views of the historical center of Moscow

Deluxe suite with two separate beds

One-room suite with two queen-size twin beds

Executive Room

Cozy and stylish room with a view of the Stalin high-rise

The most popular room category for filming the bride's morning

Executive Suite

A great accommodation option for a family holiday

Imperial Suite

Crystal chandeliers, laconic furniture, original paintings and elegant interior items

Premium Deluxe with two separate beds

Studio room with an area of 29 square meters

Suite with bathroom

Two-room more spacious room with an area of 45 square meters. meters

Premium Deluxe with King-size Bed

One-room with a King-size bed with an area of 29 square meters

• Accommodation

Special offers

Romantic weekend

Give each other priceless moments at the Moscow Marriott Imperial Plaza.

Deluxe Wedding Offer

Spend your wedding morning in the Deluxe Room at the Marriott Imperial Plaza.

Wedding Offer - Executive Room

Spend your wedding morning in the Executive Suite at the Marriott Imperial Plaza.

Wedding Offer - Luxury

Spend your wedding morning in a Suite at the Marriott Imperial Plaza.

Bachelorette party at Imperial Plaza

Book our best suites and celebrate a bachelorette party with up to 8 people.

Imperial Plaza Banquet Hall

Easily transformed for different tasks with the help of mobile screen walls

Geneva Conference Hall

Transformable partitions, with the help of which the conference hall can be combined with the Berlin hall

Paris Conference Hall

Perfect location for lectures, meetings and presentations

Vienna Conference Hall

The possibility of combining with the halls «Paris» and «Moscow» allows you to expand the space for larger events

Conference hall «Moscow»

Ideal location for lectures, meetings and presentations

Frequently asked questions

Check-in at 14:00. Check-out is at 12:00.

Breakfast is served daily from 7:00 to 11:00 at the Galerie Restaurant (2nd floor). The cost of breakfast is 2500 rubles/person. A 50% discount is available for children aged 6-12 years.

Photographing in public areas of the hotel is provided only when purchasing a «Wedding offer» or a «Romantic weekend». In other cases, the cost of photographing is 10,000 rubles / 1 hour (1st floor, marble staircase, 2nd floor foyer (according to availability), 3rd floor foyer (according to availability), corridor on the floor of the room. The cost of taking photos in the Imperial Plaza banquet hall is 15,000 rubles / 1 hour (according to availability). Photography is not allowed in Cafe Imperial.

We share your love for pets! Choosing Moscow Marriott Imperial Plaza you don’t have to leave your lovely friend at home. Pets up to 10 kg are welcome at our hotel. The non-refundable cleaning fee for a pet-friendly room is RUB 10,000 for the entire period of stay. Guests with service animals for people with disabilities (including, and not limited to, guide dogs and other guide animals) are allowed to stay with them at no extra charge.

For information about the conditions of events in the Imperial Plaza banquet hall, contact us by phone: +7 903 560 7510 or leave a request for site .

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A Guide to Taiwan’s Quarantine Hotels and COVID Travel Restrictions

Dear reader: This article contains links to products and services that I may be compensated for, at no extra cost to you.

Quick Summary – As of October 13, 2022, Taiwan is totally open to all international tourists. Some can enter visa-free, while others need to apply for a visa ( see the full list here ). – There is no longer any testing, tracing, quarantine, health forms, special rules, or vaccine (this was never required) to enter Taiwan. – As of March 20, 2023, virtually all COVID restrictions are finished. You can stay in any hotel or accommodation, including hostels dorms, and travel around as normal. Masks must be worn on public transportation, in taxis, and in medical facilities. Most locals are still wearing them everywhere in public. – I am no longer updating the below article, but keeping it live in case anyone wants to remember what a shit-show that was.

After Taiwan’s borders closed to all tourists on March 19, 2020, they remained that way for over two years. As of September 12, 2022, Taiwan has finally re-opened to tourists from certain countries, but those visitors must still undergo the 3+4 days of quarantine process. I will be covering exactly what all this entails in great detail below. The list of countries will be expanded on Sept. 29, and then the country is set to totally open, with no quarantine or PCR testing, on October 13, 2022.

Entry restrictions to Taiwan due to the COVID-19 pandemic have effectively destroyed my travel business. Because of this, and the fact that the arrival rules are so complicated and always changing, I’ve avoided writing about them here, on my mostly Taiwan-focused website until now. In fact, I’ve barely mentioned the dreaded words “COVID” or “quarantine” in my articles. And like you, I just look forward to the day when we can put all of this behind us.

I’ve personally cancelled my family’s flights back to Taiwan from where we now live in Canada twice since early 2020, not because we couldn’t get in (we are citizens/permanent residents), but because of all the testing/quarantining costs on both ends.

In May to July of 2022, we finally went back for the first time since 2019. All the below info about entry requirements, how to quarantine in Taiwan, COVID rules, and so on come from my personal experience doing the arrival and quarantine process in Taiwan, as well as government websites and the experiences of people reported online as well as people I personally know.

For the latest updates as soon as they roll in, please join my Taiwan Travel Planning group , and for quarantine-specific questions, I also recommend the group Quarantine Support in Taiwan . You can also call 1922 (then #7 for English) in Taiwan for any COVID or quarantine related questions.

For more information about planning your trip, see my Taiwan Travel Guide , favorite things to do in Taiwan , and recommended Taiwan travel itinerary .

Table of Contents

Current Border Restrictions

When Taiwan first closed its borders, it came in steps. Before the full tourist ban was implemented, the countries of the world were categorized into levels based on how bad their outbreaks were, there were different restrictions for each level, and they changed almost daily. Suffice to say it was very messy.

Now that Taiwan is beginning to reopen, they are also doing it gradually in steps, with the most notable steps so far coming on September 12, 2022, when they began letting visitors from certain countries enter for tourism purposes again (see the list of countries below), Sept 29, when the list of countries was expanded to include several neighborhing (Asian) countries, and Oct. 13, when all restrictions will be dropped.

As this process unfolds, I will continue to update this article daily with the latest Taiwan entry restrictions by country.

Are Taiwan’s Borders Open to Tourists Right Now?

For most of the pandemic, the answer has been no, but as of September 12, 2022, the answer is YES, for visitors from certain countries, and then even more countries after September 29.

The Taiwanese government and Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), under the Taiwan Center for Disease Control (CDC) have impressively crushed two major waves of COVID since the pandemic began. Until mid-2022, there was an admirably low number of COVID deaths in Taiwan, less than a thousand, which is less than a quarter of my home province in Canada, but with five times my province’s population. Once Omicron finally got in, the numbers skyrocketed, but thanks to vaccinations, universal mask wearing, and impressive contract tracing, the number of deaths remained comparatively low.

Numerous press announcements over the last two years have hinted at possible loosening of border restrictions when future vaccination benchmarks were reached (for example 80% double vaccination, 50% booster, and now they are saying 50% vaccination rate among young children). But when those first two benchmarks were reached, it was right around the time that Omicron took off, so they decided to keep the borders closed after all to prevent a Hong Kong-like situation from occurring.

As of March 7, 2022, Taiwan loosened the mandatory quarantine for all arrivals (for those who can get in, that is) from 14 days to 10 days (technically 11 nights, as the arrival and check out dates aren’t counted). Moreover, it allowed them to do their quarantine at home instead of a quarantine hotel, so long as their home meets certain requirements. They also made it even easier for business travelers to enter from this day on. The next step was a further reduction to 7 days of quarantine, which started at 12 a.m. on May 9, 2022, and then a reduction to 3+4 days on June 15.

This means 3 days of quarantine + 4 days of “self initiated epidemic prevention”. In practice, the day of arrival doesn’t count, so it’s actually 4 + 4. In other words, this is 4 days of strict quarantine, plus 4 days when you are allowed to go out for certain things.

On July 25, they started letting 6 categories of people to apply for permission to enter. These are volunteers, missionaries, religious scholars, interns, and people on international exchanges and working holidays. These people are still subject to 3 + 4 days of quarantine. Some have speculated that the next step will be a reduction to “0 + 7 days” (zero days of quarantine but seven days of self monitoring), but this isnt’ certain.

Then on September 12, Taiwan finally announced that tourists from certain countries were allowed. It was surprising that they mainly welcomed tourists from Western countries first. Before COVID, tourists from Asian countries far outnumbered those from Western ones. My guess is that this is part of their “gradual approach”. I don’t think a large number of tourists from faraway Western countries are suddenly going to start planning big trips and showing up in Taiwan right on September 12, especially when they still have to undergo quarantine upon arrival. But then, thankfully, Taiwan added most of its Asian neighborhing countries to the list from September 29.

From the very beginning, Taiwan has considered tourists the last priority. The country is not heavily dependent on tourist dollars like so many other countries. In fact, their economy has been booming through COVID, and there are enough local travelers to support local hotels and attractions. Having said that, several businesses who depended largely on foreign guests have, unfortunately, gone out of business. Examples include Modern Toilet Ximen , the Starbucks in Taipei 101 , and several tours, guides, and agencies that catered to visitors.

You can see the latest CDC updates with the most current changes and assessments of the situation. Updates come daily.

Who Can Enter Taiwan Right Now?

As of September 12, 2022, nationals of the following countries are allowed to enter Taiwan for tourism purposes and don’t need to apply for a visa: USA, Canada, the EU, Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan’s 14 diplomatic allies (Belize, eSwatini, Guatemala, Haiti, the Holy See, Honduras, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tuvalu) . They still have to undergo testing and quarantine on arrival, which I will cover below.

As of September 29, 2022 the following nationals were added to the list of people who can enter Taiwan: Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Brunei, Dominican Republic, Israel, Chile, Nicaragua .

All of the countries above can enter Taiwan without a visa, as before COVID. For the amount of time nationals of each of these countries can enter, see this page https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-149-4486-7785a-2.html   (you need to copy and paste this link to your browser. For some reason, it always redirects if you just click it).

For nations all other countries not mentioned above, a visa is required, and they will be able to start about for this visa from October 13, when the borders are totally opened. Russia is one exception; so far they have not yet announced whether nationals of Russia will be allowed in and when.

The following people have been allowed to enter Taiwan throughout COVID, and still are today. They also have to undergo testing and quarantine upon arrival:

• Taiwanese citizens (holding a Taiwanese passport)
• Foreign residents of Taiwan (holding an ARC or APRC)
• Foreign relatives of Taiwan citizens/ARC holders (i.e. children and spouses of citizens or residents)

The below can also currently enter but must apply for and receive approval first (starting from various points during the pandemic):

• Business/investment/contract visitors
• International students coming to study in formal degree programs in Taiwan
• Persons coming to Taiwan for employment
• Persons coming for emergency or humanitarian reasons
• Volunteers, missionaries, religious scholars, interns, and people on international exchanges and working holidays

Are Transit Passengers Allowed at Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport

For most of the pandemic, transit passengers have NOT been allowed at Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport . This finally changed on June 15, 2022. So now, YES, transiting at Taiwan’s main airport is allowed again, though it will take a while for airlines to actually start routing more flights through Taiwan again.

Taiwan’s Current Quarantine Protocol

Everyone who is able to enter Taiwan has to undergo testing before and upon arrival and a mandatory 3 days of self-paid quarantine + 4 days of self monitoring (technically it totals to 8 nights, because your first night and check out day don’t count), as of June 15, 2022. The only people who have been able to get reduced quarantine have been pilots/airline workers and some high level business or political visitors.

If you arrive in Taiwan after October 13, 2022, you will not have to do any quarantine. Instead, you will only have to watch your health for 7 days (called the 0 + 7 system) and take a few self-administered rapid tests. They will you 4 such test kits upon arrival at the airport, free of charge. the first two are meant to be taken on days 1 and 2, while the other 2 are for if you develop symptoms later.

Before Coming to Taiwan

• Book a quarantine hotel or arrange a residence to quarantine in (more info on both below). You need to book it for 8 nights under the “3 + 4” system, since your arrival day and first night count as “day zero”.
• As of August 15, 2022, NOBODY needs to take a pre-flight PCR test before coming to Taiwan anymore (but you still have to be one of the select groups of people who are allowed to enter Taiwan). So you can ignore the next three paragraphs, but I’ll keep them up (with strikethrough) in case anyone needs that information.
• Get an RT- PCR test 1 or 2 days before your scheduled flight (July 14 update: Citizens, ARC-holders, and transit passengers no longer need to get a pre-flight PCR test). For any other travelers who are not citizens, ARC holders, or transit passengers, you still need to get a PCR test 1-2 days before your flight departure. For example, if your flight to Taiwan departs on June 9 (even for example, 1 AM of June 9), you should get the test on June 7 or 8. If you have a connecting flight to Taiwan, you count back from the date of the first leg of the flight, unless your stopover is more than 2 days. Make sure that you get it early enough so that you will receive the results before your flight, but not too early. Find out in advance how long the results will take. Important point: the test results paper must indicate your name (matching passport name) passport, date of birth or passport number, specimen collection date, testing method, report date, and test result. The “specimen collection date (or date the test was administered) is essential, so make sure the facility includes it. The test result has to be negative. A digital copy of the report is fine.
• If your PCR test is positive, you’ll have to reschedule your flight, cancel your quarantine hotel (if you have one booked, and they mostly allow this), and retest again TWICE starting in 10 days (first re-test after 10 days, second one another 24 hours after first one). If both retests are negative, then you can fly to Taiwan. This is technically the rule, but some people have reported that even though they retested twice, nobody in Taiwan asked for proof of their two tests when they later arrived. I’m not saying you should only test once; but that’s just what people have reported.
• Children aged 6 or under, those with medical exemption, or people in country that doesn’t offer PCR test don’t need to take the pre-flight PCR test . However, you have to print and fill out this PCR test exemption form and present it to your airline for check in and upon arrival. In our experience, the airline then placed us at the back of the plane, and my 6-year-old daughter (who didn’t get the test) had to use a separate toilet on the plane. Upon arrival in Taiwan, we had to exit the plane last, then we had to be met by a staff member on arrival, who took us to a separate line to register her, before we could go through the usual lines. It made our arrival process almost 30 min longer. Note: if you have another reason for not being able to take the PCR test, you’ll need to have sufficient proof.
• Fill in and submit the Quarantine System For Entry Form online 48 hours or less before arriving in Taiwan . If you do it more than 48 hours before your arrival time (in Taiwan time), it will be considered invalid. I recommend doing this at home before your flight, not at the airport like many people do. For us, our total flying time from Canada to Taiwan (including all checking in, waiting, transfers) was 22 hours, which gave us a full day before leaving to do this. Many people don’t do it until they get to the airport, then find the form is confusing or takes a long time to fill out, causing a lot of stress right before their check in. Do it at home!
• To fill in this form, you’ll need some personal info, flight number, quarantine hotel information (including hotel ID and address) or address of home quarantine. One child age 12 or under can be added per one adult form–there will be a spot to “add a person under 12” on the final page before you submit; you’ll need to fill in the whole page with all your person info first. For departure country, enter your original departure country (unless you have a stopover more than two days on the way). For the flight number, enter the details of the one that lands in Taiwan. If you don’t have a Taiwan phone number yet, enter your home number. You’ll be able to get a SIM card when you arrive in Taiwan and update the form, with help from the airport agents. Make sure the cell phone you come with is unlocked!
• When you click on the submit form, the form will be sent to the authorities in Taiwan. There won’t be any popup or words telling you that the submission was successful, but don’t worry, it works. Then it will go to a page showing your final report, called “Quarantine System for Entry – Departure Place Declaration Certificate”. This is what you need. Screenshot it. The airline will ask to see this before you get on the flight to Taiwan. At the bottom of the page, there is a confusing little button that says “Save – Press it for 2 seconds”. Many people mistakenly think this is the final submission button. It’s not. Your form has already been submitted. This button, if held for 2 seconds (on mobile only) will save a copy of the form in your phone’s camera roll.
• If you have entered a non-Taiwanese phone number like we did, you’ll probably receive a text message from the Taiwan CDC before you board your flight. You don’t need to click the link contained in the message, but save the text message. It’s just a confirmation message, and may be needed later when you arrive in Taiwan.
• Make sure your phone is charged when you arrive in Taiwan. I suggest bringing a battery pack.
• There may be additional forms required by your airline. We received an email from EVA airlines with a checklist of all the forms we needed. Also note, your country may require proof of vaccination for domestic flights or checking in at your airport, but Taiwan technically doesn’t (yet) require proof of vaccination to enter.

What Happens When You Arrive in Taiwan

• Get off the plane and follow the signs to exit. If you are traveling with a person who didn’t get the pre-flight PCR test (like us with our 6-year-old daughter), you may have to leave the plane last. When we got off the plane, there was a lady waiting with a sign with our daughter’s name on it. We then had to wait for all the other people with young kids who didn’t get tested. The woman then took us through the entire processing area, where there were hundreds of people waiting in lines, to a line where we had to register our daughter, give them the PCR test exemption form, and then go back to join the long lines.
• Follow the signs/flow of people until you reach the processing area. It’s impossible to get lost or go the wrong way – there’s only one way to go.

• If you don’t have a SIM card yet, join the line to buy one FIRST (line on the left in the above picture). Do not get in any other lines, such as the immigration LINE. When we arrived, the line was quite long (we waited about 20 minutes). It’s clearly marked, and there are lots of staff to guide people. But still, don’t go into sheep mode and just get in whatever line it seems everyone else is getting in (several people have reported doing this, and then having to go back to the end of the SIM card line. Important note: make sure your cell phone is UNLOCKED before coming to Taiwan.
• The SIM card counter has multiple phone options, and the staff will help to switch your card. They accept cash or international credit cards. You’ll see that most options come with unlimited data, plus some extra amount for voice calls. The first two (Chunghwa) are the most recommended and reliable, especially if you need strong WiFi for video conferences or anything like that.

• After you get your SIM card, ask a staff member to help you input it into your “Health Declaration Certificate” report. We watched as a staff member did ours: first, he went to the text message that we had received before boarding our flight in Canada. He clicked the link. It took him to a page where it asked to enter the last 5 digits of our passport number. Then it went to a page where he input our new phone numbers. (I don’t want to say this is all he did, because he was doing it very quickly and I may not have caught everything). After he did that, we received a new text message with a link. When we clicked that link, it went to our new, updated “Quarantine Declaration Certificate”, which contains a bar code. Screenshot the form, as you will need to show it several times after this. If you have added a child 12 or under on your form, this process will need to be done once for yourself, and again for your child, and there will be one final report for each of you. Screenshot both of them.

• Now you get to join the other line, which is opposite the SIM card station/line. When we first arrived, this line was very long, but because we were at the end, by the time we finally got in this line, it was quite short.
• If you already had a Taiwan phone number before arrival, you don’t need to join the SIM card line. Just go directly to the immigration line. You should receive a text message with a link to your “Quarantine Declaration Certificate” within a few minutes of arrival. If you don’t, ask an agent.

• When you get to the front, you’ll need to show your passport, provide your phone number (if you just bought a SIM card, they’ll give you a paper that shows your new number), and show your Health Declaration Certificate to register for your arrival COVID saliva test. NOTE: as of June 15, EVERYONE does the saliva test, no matter your country of original. Before, people from all (and then later only certain) countries still had to do the more intrusive and painful nose test). Also note: unlike with the nose tests, you no longer have to wait at the airport for the results. You will be contacted later while in quarantine if you test positive. Also note, as of September 29, saliva PCR tests will no longer be conducted upon arrival in Taiwan.
• If your child is under 2, it would be too tough to collect the amount of spit they require (5 ml), so he or she will need to take an Orophraryngeal swab. They will give you a paper indicating the kind of test you will need to take. Our kids (aged 6 and 8), were able to spit enough, but it took them a while.
• At this same station, they will also give you two antigen rapid test boxes per person. One is to be used on the final day of your quarantine to allow you to exit quarantine, and an extra one is provided for use in case you start showing symptoms of COVID. (Note: when quarantine ends on October 13 and the 0 + 7 days system starts, you will receive 4 kids. One is meant to be used on day 1, another on day 2, and the other two for later if you develop symptoms.
• After receiving your spit cup and rapid antigen test kits, you’ll proceed through immigration, where you’ll have to show your “Health Declaration Certificate” form to the agent.

• Next, you’ll proceed to the baggage area to collect your baggage.
• Next, you’ll proceed into the arrival area (where in the past the public could wait for and greet arriving passengers). You’ll join a long queue for the spit test. The line makes its way outside, where you’ll leave your luggage cart, the proceed around the corner of the building to the outdoor testing area. You’ll show your passport and the little paper they gave you with the type of test checked. Then you get to stand at a booth and spit into the little cup you were provided with earlier until it reached the little line at 5 ml. It’s a lot of spit, so it might take you a while. I would suggest starting to collect spit in your mouth from the moment you step outside of the airport. Then, you close the lid, but it in a little ziplock bag provided, and give it to the staff, along with the little paper. If your baby has to do the throat swab, they’ll also do it here. After you complete this step, they’ll put a quarantine sticker on your shirt (you can see people’s quarantine stickers on one of my pictures above, posted on the separation wall inside a taxi).

• Go back to collect your luggage cart and proceed to the taxi area (if you plan to take a taxi), which is right in front of the main arrival hall doors. There are staff directing people where to go. The main (by far longest) line is for all destinations in Northern Taiwan, including Taipei. For destinations in Central or South Taiwan, they will direct you to the appropriate line.
• If you’re getting picked up by a friend or family member, that is now allowed, but you can’t go stay with them. They can just drive you to your hotel or quarantine location which meets all the necessary standards (see below section). You still can’t take the airport MRT or other forms of public transportation to reach your quarantine location. As of September 1, 2022, you are allowed to drive yourself to your place of quarantine, for example in a rented car or car someone has left at the airport for you. As of September 29, you are also allowed to get a ride from somebody to your quarantine location. As of October 13, you will be allowed to take public transportation from the airport (buses or Airport MRT).
• If you need to withdraw money from an ATM for paying for your taxi, or to have some cash for ordering food during your quarantine, or for getting home after your quarantine, go back into the airport arrival hall and do it before getting in the taxi line. I strongly recommend having at least a couple thousands NTD just in case. There are also currency exchange booths in the airport (before collecting luggage). Note that when we last arrived, there were no duty free shops or convenience stores that we were able to visit upon arrival at the airport.

• While in line for the taxi, they will spray you and your luggage down with sanitization liquid. You may also (once again) have to show your Health Declaration Certificate. The taxi line can be really long (we waited almost an hour).
• Some taxis take credit cards, but most don’t. The set taxi fares from Taoyuan Airport, which you will pay to the drive upon arrival, are: pay by meter up to a maximum of $1000 ( Taipei , New Taipei, Keelung , Hsinchu), 1000 ( Miaoli and Yilan ), 1080 ( Taichung ), 1340 (Changhua), 1560 (Yunlin), 1630 (Nantou), 1750 ( Hualien ), 1840 (Chiayi), 2380 ( Tainan ), 2660 ( Kaohsiung ), 2950 (Pingtung), and 3500 ( Taitung ). Tipping taxi drivers in Taiwan is not common, and taxi drivers are always honest. You will NOT be scammed by a taxi driver like in other countries.

• Upon arrival at your quarantine location, enter your hotel/residence immediately and don’t leave until until 12:01 AM or later of the 4th night. If you are caught going out, the fine is extremely high.
• Then, from days 5 to 8, you are in the “self-initiated epidemic prevention” period. The rules are different than the previous “self health management period”. Before, that basically meant you could leave, go out, stay with family, live like normal but just avoid crowded indoor places and monitor your health situation. For the new “self initiation epidemic prevention” period, the rules are stricter. See the next section below.
• On the day of your arrival at your place of quarantine, and every day or other day after that, an English-speaking agent will call you to check in on you and ask if you are feeling okay. Make sure your phone is charged and that you catch the call. If you miss it, they may send someone to check on you (although the agent admitted to my wife that they are too busy nowadays, so they will probably just try to call you again later. You can also ask this guy about garbage pick up.
• If your airport saliva test turns out positive, they will contact you and advise you on how to proceed. If you’re alone, there’s a chance you will be able to stay where you are in quarantine but for an additional set number of days, or they may come pick you up and take you to a government facility. If you’re a family and only one tests positive, that person will may be taken away.
• It is possible an agent will come to check your quarantine location to make show it meets standards, but they seem to be doing this less now. My wife also got a call from the local neighborhood leaders. He then dropped off a package for us containing some garbage bags and masks.
• Obviously, do not leave your place of quarantine, even stepping outside or down the hall, for the first 3 days (technically 4 nights).

Post Quarantine: Self Health Management Period VS Self Initiated Epidemic Prevention Period

In the past, arriving travels had to undergo a period of “self health management” after quarantine. This meant always wearing a mask, watching your health, and avoiding busy places. You weren’t supposed to eat in restaurants (in practice, nobody was checking), but convenience stores or shopping for groceries was allowed. Public transportation and exercising outside were OK, too. You weren’t supposed to visit a hospital/clinic or make any doctor’s appointments during this time.

Under the new 3 + 4 program (technically 8 nights), the first 4 nights (day zero plus 3 days) is strict quarantine. The last 4 days is called “self initiated epidemic prevention”, and the rules are different. It started out as being much stricter (you basically had to stay in the same quarantine location, and could only go out with permission for “necessary tasks”). Since then, the rules for the last 4 days have loosened a lot. You are now allowed to change to a new place, go out more easily, and can move into a place where other people are living, as long as you have your own bedroom and bathroom there. You are still supposed to avoid going to very crowded places or hospitals in that time, though.

From September 29 to October 12, you will be allowed to do all of your quarantine in a house where other people (friends or family) live, so long as you have your own room and bathroom. You still aren’t supposed to do it in a regular hotel though, and Airbnbs have never been allowed, as they are technically not even legal in Taiwan.

Until spring of 2022, everyone was supposed to download and use the Taiwan Social Distancing App (臺灣社交距離) . This was the country’s way of tracing all COVID cases and notifying those who have been in contact with a case. However, with the explosion of local COVID cases in May 2022, the contact tracing system collapsed. They are no longer attempting to trace every case, so you don’t have to do this anymore.

If you were vaccinated in Taiwan, you can apply for your digital vaccine certificate , which may be required to enter some restaurants, gyms, night clubs, and so on in Taiwan (Note: in the two months I recently spent in Taiwan, I was never once asked for this). The system only works if you got your vaccines in Taiwan, because then you will already be registered in their system.

If you got your vaccines abroad and have a good vaccine card issued by your country, you can just show that, if you’re ever even asked for it. Just have the document/QR code ready to show on your phone if needed.

Do I have to wear a mask all the time once I’m in Taiwan?

Not quite, but almost. For most of the pandemic, Taiwanese have followed the rule of near universal mask wearing while in public. For example, most locals can be seen wearing masks even outdoors, even while walking down an empty street by themselves. The rules were slightly loosened on July 19, 2022. Currently, these are cases when you DON’T have to wear a mask, but some locals may still wear them in these cases out of respect for others or because they are still worried about getting COVID:

• While at home or inside your hotel room
• While riding a scooter or bicycle
• While exercising (indoors or outdoors), playing sports, at the pool, jogging, etc.
• While hiking or at the beach, forest, or mountains
• While taking photos, videos, giving a speech, etc.
• While eating, drinking, or smoking

For more information, see the official announcement here .

Even at the time that Taiwan fully opens to tourists and drops quarantine on October 13, 2022, these mask rules will stay until winter or longer in Taiwan. So if you can’t stand the thought of wearing a mask almost all the time while in Taiwan, you may still want to further postpone your trip until the mask rules change. And even when they stop enforcing the mask rules, many Taiwanese people will probably still continue to wear them for months or even years to come, as mask wearing was already common even before COVID started.

What Happens If I Test Positive on Arrival?

Every day, several people test positive upon arrival in Taiwan. Because they now only do saliva tests at the airport and you leave before the results are ready, you’ll be notified later.

If this happens to you, you are expected to report it, and you will most likely be asked to stay at your current quarantine location (in the past, you would have been picked up and taken to a quarantine facility).

In the case of traveling with family members, I used to recommend packing your luggage separately (one bag for each person) in case you got separated at the airport, for example, if only one person tested positive and was taken away. Now, I would say to at least be mentally prepared for the possibility that, within a day or two of arrival, if only one of you tests positive, they may suddenly call you and tell you that you have 30 minutes to pack a bag before they come pick you up.

The government quarantine facilities vary, and aren’t much different than a regular quarantine hotel. They could be located anywhere in Taiwan. The same friend I mentioned above got sent to one in Nantou, in the middle of Taiwan, where he had a lovely natural view out a large window that he could easily open (a much desired feature in regular quarantine hotels).

However, many people complain that the government facilities are stricter than the regular quarantine hotels. They may check your luggage for liquor and other prohibited items, which regular hotels won’t do. They are also stricter about ordering food in, like it can only be done at very specific times or can’t be done at all. And instead of self-administered rapid tests, a nurse will actually come in and do the test on you.

On the plus side, these facilities are free! However, if you’ve already booked a quarantine hotel, it may be too late to get your money back. You could at least try for a partial refund. At the end, when you take a taxi onward to wherever you’re going next in Taiwan, you’ll need to pay for that.

In the case of families traveling with children, if only a child tests positive, one parent will be able to go with him or her. When separated like this, if the quarantined COVID-positive person tests negative on the first two tests done in room (days 2 and 4), he or she will then be allowed to rejoin his/her family wherever they are quarantining. It might take a day to process, so you could expect to be rejoined on day 5 or so.

What happens if I test positive later in Taiwan, or come into contact with a positive person?

As of Tuesday, April 26, 2022, the rule for those who’ve been in very close contact with a COVID-positive person was “3 + 4”, meaning you had to isolate for 3 days then follow self health management for 4 days but on May 16, 2022, the government announced this was no longer required. Now, if you’ve had three doses of vaccine, you don’t have to isolate, even if a close contact (like family member or close coworker) tests positive, so long as you yourself aren’t showing symptoms.

If you’ve done a rapid antigen test on yourself, come up positive, and you have no symptoms or mild symptoms, you should call 1922 to report that you have COVID and then follow their instructions. You will most likely be told to isolate until you recover. Do not go to a hospital or clinic. Elderly people (75+) or babies (2 and under) may still be sent to a hospital, even with mild or no conditions.

If you have serious conditions, such as strong chest pain or trouble breathing, you should seek medical attention immediately.

If you suspect you may have come into contact with a COVID case, do not go to a hospital for testing; the hospitals are overwhelmed and have asked people not to do this.

Quarantine Hotels

Taiwan’s quarantine hotels are essentially regular hotels that have adopted all the protocol in order to qualify as quarantine hotels. Choose carefully, as you’ll be stuck in the same room for the duration of your quarantine period!

Prices include three meals a day, which are brought to your room. Unfortunately, most of them only offer a full refund up to two days before arrival, so if you test positive at the airport and get sent to a government quarantine facility, you may not get all of your money back from the hotel. (Note: at least the government facilities are free).

How to Book a Quarantine Hotel

If you are arriving in Taiwan before October 13, 2022, you will still need to book a quarantine hotel.

The most popular search engine for booking quarantine hotels in Taiwan is Mr. Host ( booking site / Facebook page ).

There are so many hotels available that choosing one can be intimidating. Also, the Mr. Host site can be difficult to use (when I tried, the “check availability” on some hotels button didn’t work), and sometimes the final price or room features are different that what is first shown, which is frustrating.

However, the Mr. Host team is very helpful, and you can even message them with a list of things you are hoping for in a room (for example, window, balcony, adjoining rooms, children’s facilities) and they will give recommendations. Their staff is highly knowledgeable about current restrictions, and they publish some useful flowcharts explaining the quarantine process in Taiwan; follow their Facebook page linked above to see them.

You can also contact and book hotels directly. The government has prepared this website listing all the quarantine hotels by location across Taiwan. Unfortunately, they don’t provide emails or website links.

Two other sites where you can book Taiwan quarantine hotels are AsiaYo and KKDay . Don’t use regular booking sites like Booking dot com , which I normally recommend, for booking your quarantine stay in Taiwan.

If you find the quarantine hotel booking sites difficult to use (or the end results aren’t matching what showed when you originally search), you can always just use these sites to find hotels, then contact the hotels directly to book.

When contacting hotels, many will ask you to use the LINE app (which is universally used in Taiwan) to communicate, fill out necessary forms, etc, so you’ll definitely need to download that.

How Much is a Quarantine Hotel?

Deals on quarantine hotels can run as low as NTD500 per night, but this is not easy to find. 2000+ is the norm. It’s easier to find cheaper ones if you look outside of Taipei.

At the other end, they can easily cost well over NTD5000 per day, meaning you’d be dropping $55,000+ for your stay. For that price, why not book a trip to Hawaii? I recommend booking your quarantine room at least a month in advance.

Recommended Quarantine Hotels

The following are quarantine hotels that have come highly recommended by other travelers:

For families : Freedom Design Hotel (富立登國際大飯店) , close to airport and offers various items needed for young children, such as cribs and bath tubs at no extra cost.

Another family-friendly option : Amba Songshan , adjoining rooms available

For those who can afford it : Hotel Proverbs , deluxe rooms have balconies, exercise equipment, and more.

Another luxury choice : Miramar Garden Taipei

Another option with balconies and exercise equipment : Chez Nous Da An

Low-budget quarantine hotel in Taipei for solo stay : Meander 1948 (pictured above)

Taichung quarantine hotels : North District L Hotel and Cloud Hotel

Tainan quarantine hotels : Taiwan North District B Hotel (low budget) or Anping District A Hotel (large rooms, windows)

Kaohsiung quarantine hotels : Long Siang Hotel (low budget) or Legend Hotel Pier 2 (colorful rooms with windows)

What’s it Like Staying in a Quarantine Hotel (including the food!)

Quarantine hotel rooms vary quite a bit. Some are small windowless boxes, while others are luxurious, multi-room suites. The owner/staff may or may not speak English. They may provide you with the LINE address so you can communicate with them throughout your stay. Most provide all the information you need and a detailed list of rules for your stay.

Getting a room with a window is highly recommended for sanity’s sake, especially for those wishing to adjust to the time change after a long flight from around the world. Balconies are rarer in Taiwan, so you’ll have to pay more for a room that has one.

You’ll want to come prepared with ways to pass the time, especially with kids. Consider bringing a yoga mat for exercise and sticking to a regular schedule. Many people have reported that the meal time becomes their favorite, most exciting part of the day. Is this what prison is like?

Some of the most common complaints about quarantine hotels are about the food. I’ve seen a lot of pictures, and the food looks fine to me. It’s mostly Taiwanese, so you can expect sandwiches or steamed buns for breakfast, lots of lunchboxes (a bed of rice with veggies, meats, eggs, tofu, etc. on top), noodles, soups, and the like. Those with dietary restrictions of course should inform the hotel in advance and they will cater to it.

Some people get tired of eating Asian-style food every day, but the biggest issue is that the food comes lukewarm at best, or often cold. Microwaves are rare in Taiwan, so don’t expect one in your room unless it is explicitly stated. Many people say they wish they’d brought in a hot plate, or actually did (this may not technically be allowed). I’ve ever heard of people using things like hair straighteners to warm up their food.

You’re allowed to order food and groceries to your room. The most common delivery services are Food Panda and Uber Eats . Some hotels many only allow you to order at specific times, or they’ll hold it until that time (so it will be cold). Most hotels also allow you to receive packages from friends or family on the outside, but some many check them for prohibited items before giving them to you.

Is alcohol allowed in quarantine hotels?

Most quarantine hotels technically don’t allow alcohol in the quarantine rooms. That means you can’t order liquor in with your groceries, nor can friends drop it off for you. However, some quarantine hotels DO allow it. If you really want to be able to, you can ask hotels about their alcohol policy before booking. I would say there’s a good chance this would be easier to find outside of Taipei.

Having said that, hotels won’t check your luggage when you arrive, so you can take the chance bringing some hard liquor or wine in them.

Note that government quarantine facilities (where you’re sent if you test positive) are stricter, and may actually check your luggage and confiscate prohibited items.

If you’re quarantining at home, you can of course enjoy whatever drinks you want, so long as you know someone nice enough to drop them off for you. You can’t order liquor online.

Applying for a Quarantine Subsidy

When Taiwan first started its mandatory, self-paid hotel quarantine system, the government offered subsidies (around NT1000/day/person) to everyone who underwent it.

Now, however, it’s much more difficult to get one. Only Taiwanese citizens can apply, and they need to demonstrate a very compelling reason they had to leave the country, for example treatment of a life-threatening disease that can’t be done in Taiwan. You also can’t be earning income while in quarantine, among other rules. In other words, don’t hold out any hope for getting one.

Having said that, we recently found out that we actually do qualify because we left Taiwan before COVID started and haven’t been back since. So if you find yourself in this case as well (citizen or ARC holder, left Taiwan before COVID started, coming back and quarantining in a hotel, not earning income while you quarantine), you may be in luck. Also note: if you feel you qualified for the subsidy in the past, you can apply for it up to six months after the quarantine time. In the end, we didn’t get it, because we ended up staying in a friend’s empty apartment instead of a quarantine hotel.

Quarantining at Home

Ever since mid-March, 2022, people have been allowed to quarantine at their home in Taiwan instead of a quarantine hotel. At first, there was a “one person per residence” rule (exception: travelers with children), but in early April 2022, this was further loosened to “one person per room”. In other words, two people arriving together can quarantine together, as long as they arrived in Taiwan together, or even on different flights but the same day. No one else can be allowed into the house though, including family members who lived there before you arrived.

As of early September, you are allowed to do the second part of your quarantine (the 4 days) in a house with others, as long as you have your own room and bathroom. As of September 29, you can do the whole quarantine (3 + days) in a house with other people, as long as you have your own room and bathroom. From October 13, all these rules are dropped.

How to Quarantine at a Residence in Taiwan

If you’d like to quarantine in your apartment in Taiwan, or even that of a friend, the apartment must abide by the following:

• No one else can be in it during your stay, unless they arrived with you and you are quarantining together.
• The apartment has to have its own number. For example, there are many illegal top-floor apartments in Taipei. Their number is the same as the apartment below them. These do not qualify.
• The apartment has to have its own entrance. For example, if you have to walk into someone else’s house/apartment in order to access the staircase to that apartment, it doesn’t qualify.
• Communal staircase or elevator up to the main door of your apartment (like most residential buildings in Taipei have) are fine.
• The apartment can be anywhere in Taiwan, but you’ll have to pay the set fee for taxi transportation to get there from the airport where you arrive.
• There’s nothing else you have to do besides provide the address, and nobody will come to check on it. However, I’ve heard of people being forced to leave their apartment and check into a quarantine facility because of the apartment number issue.
• Note that the government will track your location during this time using your phone, and leaving your residence (even just stepping outside the door) can incur a huge fine. There have been several cases of people receiving enormous fines for leaving their residence during quarantine; one of them just walked down the hall.

Are Airbnbs Allowed for Quarantine?

In the first few months of Taiwan’s COVID quarantine system, staying in an Airbnb was a popular choice. However, it was never technically allowed. In fact, Airbnbs aren’t even legal in Taiwan. So no, Airbnbs are definitely not allowed for quarantining now, and unlike before, they now actively make sure people aren’t staying in them. Staying in a friend’s of family’s place, however, is fine, as long as those people stay away for the duration of your quarantine, and the apartment complies with all the above-mentioned criteria.

Well, I hope you’ve found answers to all your questions about Taiwan’s travel entry requirements and quarantine system. If you’ve still got questions, please comment below or join my Taiwan Travel Planning group and ask there to get the fastest answer!

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74 thoughts on “A Guide to Taiwan’s Quarantine Hotels and COVID Travel Restrictions”

If residents returning to Taiwan have had Covid but recovered how many negative tests do they need before flying back please.

I’ve just found out this information today and updated the article. If you’ve had COVID and recovered for some time, you just need to do your pre-flight test. So long as it’s negative, you’re good to go. If, however, you come up positive on your pre-flight PCR test, you need to wait 10 days, test again, then wait another 24 hours, and do a second re-test. If both re-tests are negative, then you can go. That is the formal rule according to the government site. According to someone who told me she did exactly this (tested positive, then waited 10 days and did the two retests), when she arrived in Taiwan, and tested negative on arrival, they didn’t even ask about whether she’d done these two tests or just the one. So it seems like this rule exists on paper, but may or may not always be checked.

Thanks very much for this informative blog. It is very helpful. My daughter is considering taking Mandarin at one of the state approved schools in Kaohsiung. A staff member there seems to be suggesting that she must quarantine there instead of locally in Taipei. Does that seem right? Above you mentioned a taxi fare of 2660 to Kaohsiung. That is NT$, right?

There are no government rules in Taiwan about where you should quarantine. You are allowed to find a quarantine hotel anywhere in the country, no matter where you plan to go after. Some people go outside Taipei simply because it is cheaper. I’m not sure why the school would want her to quarantine closer…Maybe so they can help her or drop off stuff if necessary. But that’s definitely a school, not government rule. As for the price, yes, 2660 is a set fare in NTD, and it is an extremely cheap/reasonable fare because it is partially subsidized by the government.

Hi there, Great article, this is the most detailed content I’ve read about the arrival procedures to Taiwan. I have a question about the quarantine system for entry form. I plan on leaving my phone behind for someone else to use. If I do not have a phone with me when I arrive at the Taiwan airport, how can I show them the text with the link? Do you know if there is a workaround for this?

Good question. I haven’t personally experienced this or talked to someone who has, so I can’t say for sure. I would suggest that you make a printed copy of the final form that you see upon submitting the forms. It is called the “Quarantine System for Entry – Departure Place Declaration Certificate”. Then, when you arrive in Taiwan and purchase a new SIM card, approach one of the officers, tell them that you lost your phone, and show them the printout. They should be able to help you. But if you don’t even have any kind of proof, such as the printed form, it could be problematic, and I can’t say for sure what will happen. Best of luck!

Great website – super informative. I am travelling with my 7 month old from Vancouver to Taipei this week. Do you know, with the recent changes, if children who are holding foreign passports (with Taiwan visa) need to take the pre-arrival PCR? The airline advises that they would likely need to but could not confirm. CDC website has no mention of it, either way. Any accident would be appreciated!

Hi Katherine, the requirement for pre-PCR testing is being removed for EVERYONE starting July 14 Source: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Bulletin/Detail/W0PeXU928EGDh6jpHsEwGQ?typeid=158

Do quarantine hotels have wi fi? How does a person obtain food and other necessities during quarantine?

All quarantine hotels provide meals, but you can also order groceries or meals from restaurants using Food Panda or Uber Eats. And yes, all quarantine hotels have free WiFi.

Hi Nick, Thank you for your infos. This is definitely the most detailed article about Taiwan entry procedures I’ve read so far. My wife and I will be traveling to Taiwan to finalize our international adoption and bring our kid home. Quick question about the quarantine hotel. Are married couples allowed to quarantine in the same hotel room? Or do we have to book two separate rooms? 8 days at the current prices it’s already a lot of money for one room….

Hi Luca, the rule for this has changed several times so I can’t say 100% for sure what it is right now. I would suggest asking in the “Quarantine Support in Taiwan” Facebook group for people’s recent experiences. You can also try contacting Mr. Host, as they are responsive and familiar with the current rules.

Your article is a gold mine, thanks a lot for sharing your experience with Taiwan’s quarantine. I was thinking about taking an Airbnb, but as you explained it’s technically not allowed. Do you have any clue about how the autorities know if your flat is an Airbnb or a long term rented flat ?

Hey Nicolas, to be honest, I can’t imagine them really putting in the effort to check. But if they did (and they might), most places on Airbnb in Taiwan are listed on other local homestay booking sites, so if the authorities were to do a quick check of the address, it would likely come up. However, in my personal experience, when we tried contacting several Airbnb places last year, none of them were willing to host us for quarantine anyways, so that may be the biggest obstacle. Personally, I wouldn’t chance it.

Ok thanks for the answer ! I got in touch with an airbnb owner who helped me to find an appropriate flat for quarantine. So this major obstacle that you had wasn’t one for me. I’m still hesitating as my teacher said that foreigners couldn’t stay in private places and HAD to go to a quarantine hotel. Have you heard about this ?

There is so much misinformation about COVID rules. Even some hotels and people working for the government helpline provide inaccurate information. So don’t listen to your teacher. However, I’ve heard of some schools who want their students or teachers flying in to do a certain thing, so it could be that. There is definitely no rule that foreigners can’t stay in apartments. All that matters is that the apartment meets the guidelines set out by the government.

Hello Nick, Thank you so much for your excellent article. My problem is, I do not find any available Quarantine hotel for August 15th (arrival). I was scared by the political situation and did not book one or two months in advance. Is there a way to claim an emergency situation (I could rent a one room + bathroom apartment in my wife’s village, but its in the 5th floor of a high-rise with 7 more apartments and I guess the house number is the same. The elevator is used by everyone in the building…)? I must go back next week, because otherwise I lose my 5 years continuous stay condition to apply for the Permanent ARC…

Hi Paul, I don’t think there’s any exceptions like that for emergency situation, but to me it sounds like the apartment you described would qualify. The question to ask is, does the apartment have a unique address? Like if somebody sent mail to it, would it only go to that apartment, or do the other apartments on the same floor all share the exact same address? For example, in the past I lived in an apartment above my landlord’s apartment. My apartment was an illegal added-on suite, so when I received mail, it went to my landlord’s apartment and he gave it to me. So for that apartment, it would not be OK. If yours has a unique address, then it should be fine. Shared elevator or stairs for getting up to it is fine, too. Just try not to ride with other people.

Hello Nick,

Like so many others who have posted comments/questions here, I thank you for explaining in detail the current process of obtaining entry into Taiwan (and for your entire website, very useful and fun).

I’m eligible to receive a visitor’s visa as my son lives in Taiwan and holds an ARC certificate. I’m planning to visit from October through December 2022 and have reserved an Airbnb apartment in Linkou.

After spending your first four days in a quarantine hotel, you can move to a different place if it meets the “one person per residence rule”. The address of the Linkou apartment begins “17, No. 10, Lane nnn, Section n, xxx Road, Linkou District, New Taipei City 244, Taiwan” etc. so it appears to have a specific address though I’m not sure. If so, would the CECC/CDC regard this apartment as a suitable accommodation for the four-day self-monitoring period and allow me to move?

You were unsure about this in your article, though perhaps you have come across additional information that would help answer my question.

Great thanks and happy trails, Russell

Hey Russell, just to further clarify a few points about the 3+4 days: 1. For the first 3 days (technically 4 nights as day 0 doesn’t count), Airbnbs are not allowed. 2. For those first 4 days, regarding the address, the main point is not that the apartment has an address. It is that this address isn’t shared with another apartment. For example, some landlords in Taiwan who own an apartment will build another apartment (often illegally) on top of it, on what used to be the roof of a building. I used to live in one. It looked like a normal top floor apartment, except that my address was the same as my landlord’s so he never registered mine. So when I got mail, it would go to him, and he would bring it up to me. Another example would be a landlord who takes one normal apartment, and divides it into several apartments. So they all have the same address, but are rented out as if they were individual apartments. These examples of apartments are what the government is referring to as not qualifying. So the important point here is not that said apartment has an address. Everywhere in Taiwan has an address. The important thing is that it has a unique address, as in it is not like the above examples of apartments added illegally or created within a pre-existing apartment. 3. For the 4 days of “self initiated epidemic prevention (note that this is a little different than the old “self health monitoring”, there are no particular rules about the place where you stay. The rules only said that it would be “ideal” if you stayed in the same place, but as you’ve pointed out, you are in fact allowed to move. So to answer your question, from what I’ve heard from people arriving in Taiwan, the CDC does not/will not check the place where you stay for the final four days. In fact, they seldom even check the first place people stay for their actual quarantine. They didn’t for us, but I know they sometimes do. The final four days are basically the honor system. On top of that, the rules about what people are allowed to do in the final four days are quite vague, anyways. In my opinion, you can move to wherever you want for those 4 days, but you should still try to avoid going to crowded public places. 4. Given that you are arriving in October, I wouldn’t be surprised if these rules have changed again by then. If you’re lucky, we’ll be on to a 0+7 day system or something like that. I hope this helps!

Thank you so much Nick for your detailed and very helpful reply! I do hope you can re-engage travel into your life and career as the world adjusts to a post pandemic world. Now I’m going to investigate your Taiwan travel planning group. Cheers, Russell

Hi, Nick! I have a question re: quarantine protocol in TW. This is what appears on the booking page of quarantine hotels. I’m looking for a quarantine hotel for 4 days (0 arrival day + 3 days quarantine period) and the remaining self-initiated monitoring will be done at my apartment. However, it says that one “must apply to the local government and sign the statement of changing location”. Question: How can I acquire this form from the Hsinchu city government (where my apartment & workplace is located) so I can sign it and prepare before my arrival? I will then show this form/slip in the airport and also in the quarantine hotel I suppose, right? Thanks, Maria

Hi Maria, first, you won’t need to show this form upon arrival at the airport. Unfortunately I haven’t personally moved from a quarantine facility to my own residence, so I’m not exactly sure what the procedure is. However, I do know that once you arrive in your quarantine location, an English speaking officer will be in touch with you and I would assume will be able to guide you through whatever needs to be done to make the switch. I would suggest posting this question in the “Quarantine Support in Taiwan” group, because there will surely be people in the group who have recently done this and can share their experience. Hope it goes well!

Thank you x 1,000! This has been an awesome resource for someone (me!) travelling to Taiwan tomorrow.

What is the status of the old electronic “Arrival Card” for immigration purposes? Has it been superseded by the “Quarantine System for entry” (hdhq.mohw.gov.tw)?

I went to complete the immigration card online (niaspeedy.immigration.gov.tw/webacard/) and received an error message in Chinese that “The system is being adjusted and is temporarily closed.”

Did you complete an Arrival Card online for your recent trip?

Thanks Steve

Hey Steve, yes, it has been totally replaced with the Quarantine System for Entry, and everyone needs to complete this with 48 hours of arrival in Taiwan.

Thanks for this, I just wanted to ask: my flight is supposed to get in at 5am ish, and the drive from Taoyuan to Tainan is around 3 hours, but my reservation doesn’t start until 4pm that day. Will I still be okay? Do I have to add an extra day?

For this question, it’s going to vary by hotel, so you’ll need to contact the hotel and ask. If you’re lucky they might let you check in early, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they charged a fee or extra day for early check-in. You won’t be allowed to just stand around or go for a walk while you wait, though. Best of luck!

Thank you so much for your incredibly informative article! I only wish I had come across it earlier, I did NOT realise how in demand quarantine hotels are, my trip might end up suffering a lot from it…

You mentioned Airbnbs are not allowed for the first 4 nights of quarantine – does that mean that they are for the second 4 nights? As in, could I book a quarantine hotel for the first 4, and then move to a 1 person per residence Airbnb for the second 4?

Thanks so much again! Órla

Well, an Airbnb or another hotel – could I spend my second 4 nights in a non-quarantine hotel?

Hi Orla, Airbnbs are actually illegal in Taiwan, so they have never technically been “allowed” for any kind of quarantine, although some people were able to stay in them when COVID first started. You also aren’t supposed to do spend your second 4 days in a regular hotel. Only hotels that have been set up for quarantine or self epidemic prevention (i.e. the second 4 days) are allowed. You can find out by asking the hotels if they allow it. The rule that you’re allowed to change to a different place after the first four days states that the new place can be your home, the home of a friend of family members (but you still need to have a room and bathroom to yourself), or a different quarantine hotel. If you were to just book an Airbnb, I don’t think they are going to look so closely (how would they know that it’s not just your friend’s house?) But I also don’t want to tell you that it’s OK to do so, because if you got caught, there could be a big fine. I also feel you’d probably need to inform the Airbnb that you’re doing your second 4 days there, however there’s a good chance most Airbnbs won’t want you to stay there if they know that. It’s a tricky situation! I would suggest you also ask in the “Quarantine Support in Taiwan” Facebook group to see if anyone else has experience with doing this.

I am coming next week, unfortunately all the sites mentioned don’t have any room available in Quarantine hotels from 24-28th August. I am left with no option but to book through AIRBNB. Could you please guide me what steps can i take for booking like book entire property, check if they have seperate entrance etc.

Hi there, I can’t guide you through the steps to do this, because Airbnbs are technically illegal in Taiwan and not allowed to be used as quarantine locations. If it’s your only choice, though, then the best you could do is contact them directly and ask them if they are willing to let you stay there for your quarantine, and what the process is, but heads up that there’s a good chance most of them will NOT be Ok with it.

Thanks for all the insight. It took a lot of stress out of the process. One thing that was amazing to me is how important a cell phone is for the system. And my brand new iPhone 13 was not “unlocked” so the Taiwanese SIM card didn’t work. Luckily I had my older iPhone 12 with me too.

Good to know. I’ll add that tip to the article!

Hi again Nick

Thought I’d give you an update as I did test positive from the saliva test taken at the airport. As you suggested, I was picked up a couple of days into my quarantine hotel stay and taken to a government quarantine facility. The first change to the info that you have is that I only had to stay at the government quarantine facility until the 8th day (rather than 10 days). I also did not have do any testing to leave. The government quarantine facility gave me the option to leave at 12:01am on the 8th day, or 7:00am. This was a bonus.

And as an added bonus, the quarantine hotel refunded two night’s accommodation (they charged three nights “cleaning fee”) and 5 days of meals. I wasn’t excepting anything… so very happy!

Thanks for updating us with your experience. I’ll add the info to the article!

Hi Nick, Thanks for all the information. Regarding the first 3 days of quarantine, my flight will arrive at 5am on Monday. Does that mean I cannot leave the quarantine hotel until 12:01am on Friday? And therefore, regardless of how early or late in the day I arrive, my release time is the same, correct?

Yes, that is correct. We had the exact same situation when we last visited.

My son (also Nick) and I are taking a fairly last minute trip to Taiwan since they relaxed the rules earlier this month. I managed to book a quarantine hotel for the first 4 days on the outskirts of Taipei. I wanted to stay in Taipei for the last 4 days to be able to move about easier during my self initiated epidemic prevention. We don’t have a personal place to stay so it sounds like I have to stay at another quarantine hotel? And what do I tell the hotel in terms of not needing to be locked up and order food for all my meals? Is there a different way to book it? It sounds like I can’t just book any hotel. Thanks for your insight.

Hi Andy, unfortunately you are not allowed to stay in a regular hotel for the second part. I would suggest contacting Mr. Host and they can provide additional suggestions for places that will take you for the second part. Best of luck!

Any idea on the accommodation for tourist if we were to travel during 0+7 Self Initiated Epidemic after 13 Oct? Must we stay at hotels 1 person 1 room?

The rule is officially “1 person per room/bathroom”, but you are allowed to share a room with members of the same family or “household”. The rule is vague and open to interpretation – for example, two friends living together can count as the same “household”, and they aren’t really going to check.

I’m so glad i came across your very informational article in preparation for my trip to Taiwan in a few weeks! I was wondering if you had any idea on whether or not during the 0+7 self initiated epidemic you can book a regular hotel for less than 7 days or do you have to book the full 7 days in the hotel to do the self indiated self initiated epidemic?

Thank you, Sal

Hi Sal, there is no rule against changing rooms/locations during the 0+7 days.

I’ve loved so many of your Taiwan travel articles…. from our pre-covid 2019 trip with our then toddler, we borrowed so much of your advice. Thank you!

We’re planning to travel back in November and I’ve been so confused by what the self-initialized quarantine prevention (0+7) would look like.

Is it known if we’ll still need a quarantine hotel (for the first 8 days upon arrival)? Or if we can immediately stay at a normal hotel? It seems some hotels in Taipei say its ok, but most I’ve inquired with in Tainan say we can only stay after the self-initialized prevention window.

Either way it sounds like we could still move around (5 nights in Taipei and 3 nights in Tainan (travelling by HSR)? Did I understand that correctly – can switch hotels during that 7 days, and can take public transit?

For the hotel, I assume they would allow a 6 year old child to stay with at least one of the parents(we’re a family of 3 – but usually get 2 rooms anyway because bedding options are so much smaller than we’re used to in the USA)

Hi Victoria! The 0+7 is very lax. You can stay in any hotel or accommodation that will take you. Some are still hesitant or not ready to open their doors yet because they are either still afraid of COVID, or they haven’t been officially notified or informed yet about what will and won’t be allowed from October 13 – the authorities always tell the press first, but hotels don’t get officially notified until later, and they wait until this comes before implementing the new policies. This should change in the coming weeks, and more hotels will be ok with it. The only official rule is that you’re supposed to have your own room and bathroom, which means hostel dorms are not OK, or budget hotels where you share a bathroom with other guests. You are allowed to stay with your own family, so your whole family can stay in one room if you want. And yes, you are allowed to move around or change hotels. The only rule is that you are supposed to do a rapid test to confirm you don’t have COVID before going out in the first week. One test covers you for 48 hours.

Thank you for this very informative site. I’m arriving on the 19th of October and thought I had it all sorted and then they changed the rules. Now I’m wondering if everything on arrival will be changed. 1) online health form – still need to fill this out? 2) local SIM card – still need this? 3) will there be quarantine taxis? Or can we just take HSR/ trains? I know those first arrivals haven’t happened yet so maybe we need to wait until Thursday to find out?

1. You no longer need to fill out the online health form. 2. SIM card is not necessary, but it would be useful for having internet access while traveling around. A WiFi router will also do. 3. You can take public transportation from the airport.

Basically it will be travel as normal before COVID. The only rule is that you are supposed to stay in your own room with your own bathroom (by yourself, or with family members that you entered taiwan with) for the first week. In other words, you can’t stay in a hostel dorm or a room that has shared bathroom with other guests. Also, you will receive 4 rapid tests when you enter taiwan, and you are supposed to take one before going out to make sure you don’t have COVID (one test covers you for 48 hours).

We want to do a layover tour (approx 6hrs) in November. Not looking to book a hotel, just travel around and see a few sites. We are both Canadian citizens, coming from a vacation in Vietnam. Our layover is in Taipei before heading back to Vancouver.

At the airport do we need to provide proof of our one person per room residence for the 7 day period of self initiated prevention? Or do they ask you these questions?

We were planning on hiring a private car to pick us up from the airport and then take us back to the airport a few hours later (we weren’t planning to stay in a hotel anywhere).

If customs asks what our plans are in Taiwan and we tell them it’s a layover tour will that not be allowed?

Hi Anna, Taiwan is almost totally open now as before COVID. Canadians can enter for 90 days visa free. There will be no such questions at the airport. Even if you are staying longer, they won’t ask for any proof about the type of accommodation. Layover tours are perfectly fine. Just make sure you get back to the hotel in time! Also note, the Airport MRT is even faster than a taxi to the city. They take 35 min or 50 min to Taipei Main Station (every second one is express), while a taxi can take up to an hour. Then, as long as you plan it well, you could see a few sights on your own before returning to the airport. However, if you want the taxi for the day to take you to several sights, that would make sense.

Thank you so much for your insight on this! Any idea on how long I should budget to get out of the airport? We did a layover tour in Beijing once and it took almost two hours just to get out of the airport 🙁

During COVID times, it was taking 2-4 hours to get through. However, now that there are no COVID arrival procedures or testing, it should be back to normal, which is usually 1 hour or less.

Do you know if 4 friends, arriving same day to Taiwan, from 4 different households, stay in one/two rooms together or do we need to book separate rooms? We are renting a car & doing road trip over two weeks. So, we will be together over the entire trip.

Technically the rule says you are supposed to be the same household and arriving same day. But they don’t have any way to know if you live in the same house abroad or not. They aren’t going to check.

Thanks for getting back to me. I think I will wait until these restrictions are lifted. Hopefully soon. It makes it difficult to plan a trip.

Hi. I will be travelling to Taiwan for 8days. During 0+7 self initiated epidemic prevention, can I go sight seeing around Taipei and taking public transport?

Yes, you can travel around as normal, just need to wear a mask. You can also change hotels or leave Taiwan during that time if you want to.

Thanks for an elaborate write-up. Very informative indeed.

I am planning to visit Kaoshiung Feb2023. With the 0+7 COVID policy in place, do ALL HOTELS accept foreign guests? I am from Malaysia and will be booking hotels via Agoda/ booking.com where no such condition is stated but I read some hotels might turn away foreign guests. I wonder if that particular article was updated. I just don’t want to be left stranded.

Please help clarify. Thanks

The hotels SHOULD allow anyone now, but the truth is that some still are not. Some of them are still worried about COVID or misunderstand the new rules. So I’ve heard of people having their reservation turned down. But if this happens, you will find out right away. If you make the booking on booking dot com or Agoda, the hotel will check it as soon as you book qnd they will cancel it or let you know right away (this happened to me once). Then you can just try another. I never heard of anyone showing up to find out in person that they won’t let you stay.

Hi. After arrived(in Taoyuan Airport) is it possible to stay in hotel for a day before heading to my place unter the 0+7 Covid policy?

You can move around freely and change hotels or accommodations as you wish during the 7 days. There are no rules about this. The only rules is you are not supposed to stay in a room with strangers, such as hostel dorm.

Hi Nick, thanks for the write up! I’m travelling with my husband, do we need to book separate rooms?

No, travelers arriving in Taiwan together on the same day are allowed to stay together, so you can stay in the same room.

Hi Nick, What a great post so much information thanks so much! My wife does not have a cell phone and mine is a Trac phone which doesn’t work outside the US. Is it advisable to purchase a phone when we arrive in Taiwan?

That would be a personal choice – it is no longer required by the government to have a phone as part of the arrival process. Normally, people just use their phone from home but purchase a local SIM card or WiFi device when they arrive in taiwan, which is very affordable. If you have to buy a brand new phone just for your taiwan trip, that sounds expensive. Nowadays, almost everyone travels with a phone, so it does have a great deal of convenience. You can look up maps to find the way, look up bus/train times, make bookings, communicate with hotels, and more. Hotels almost expect in nowadays, and some communicate important info to their guests by email or messages. But sure you can still survive without one – I traveled to dozens of countries on my own before smartphones became a thing. Sure, I got lost sometimes, but I still survived!

Nick thanks for your reply I was under the impression that a personnel phone was needed so that the government could check on you during the quarantine period. I joined the Facebook group and find it very informative thanks for your posts.

You’re welcome! They did before, but that’s over now

Hi Nick, We (U.S. passport holders) will fly from Hong Kong via Taipei in early February on Eva Air to Tokyo Narita Airport. Our TPE-NRT Eva flight leaves (a layover of 19 hours) not until the next morning at 8:50 a.m., and I could not find any updated Taipei airport transit information on related websites such as Taiwan Visitor Bureau, Eva Air, or Taoyuan Airport. I called Eva Air here in LA, they asked me to call Eva Air Taipei airport direct. Unfortunately, the Eva Taipei phone line was always busy. My question: Do we allow to stay overnight at the Sheraton Taoyuan hotel? If this is not allowed, we have to cancel our flight. Thank you!

Hi Paul, yes, this is allowed. US passport holders can enter Taiwan for up to 90 days without applying for a visa. You when you arrive, just go through the normal immigration procedure to enter the country. You will need to fill in an arrival card and write the address of your hotel. Collect your bags and proceed to the hotel. Just make sure you return to the airport early enough (2 hrs) to check in for your flight the next day. Wear masks in indoor public places in Taiwan and taxi/public transport. There’s nothing else you need to do.

Thank you so much for giving the updated information. We are so relieved for now. Have a nice day!

Hi Nick, Thank you for the updated information! I hold a US passport and am currently living in Hong Kong. I plan to use my US passport to visit Taipei by myself to see friends on January 2, and will stay until January 6. I’ve also booked an ordinary hotel in Si men ding. Given the fact that Hong Kong is now an SAR of China, do you think there maybe any problems getting entry or getting admitted to the hotel? Thank you.

In terms of visa, if you use your US passport, you still won’t need one for up to 90 days stay in Taiwan. Taiwan recently introduced new rules for visitors from China. They have to do a saliva test upon arrival, and if they test positive, they have to stay in a quarantine hotel for 5 days. However, as far as I know, this does not apply to visitors from Hong Kong. Still, it’s best to ask your airline or Taiwan immigration for the latest info.

Thanks much for the valuable info.

I’ve not decided if I want to check in airport hotel during layover in TPE.

But I understand that card arrival requires name/address of hotel.

Can I just simply write any hotel?

Just worried that I’ll get caught if immigration officer ask for proof of hotel booking. Will this happen?

Appreciate your advice please.

Regards Keith

You are allowed to stay in a hotel during your stopover as long as your country has visa-exempt status for Taiwan. If it doesn’t you’ll have to apply for a visa first. You can Google the Taiwan BOCA list of countries to find out. As for hotel, you aren’t allowed to stay in a capsule room or dorm room (or any room shared with other random people) for your first 8 days in Taiwan. It’s not a matter of immigration “catching” you, but rather than the hotel will just check your passport and won’t let you stay if you are just arrived in Taiwan. You can only stay in a private room with your own private bathroom.

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News Airlines Airports Trudeau mulls mandatory hotel quarantine for returning travellers

January 24, 2021  By Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press

The federal government is mulling a mandatory quarantine in hotels for returning travellers as the country’s top doctor warns that easing COVID-19 restrictions too quickly could cause case numbers to shoot up again.

Monday will mark a year since the first recorded appearance of the novel coronavirus in Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it is understandable t154hat Canadians are tired and fed up, but they must remain cautious.

“We need to hang on and hold tight for the next few months,” he said Friday.

“We must get through to the spring and mass vaccinations in the best shape possible.”

The federal government is looking at options that would make it harder for people to return from foreign trips.

But Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said the tools already in place must also be fully utilized. That includes more police enforcement of two-week quarantine rules for arriving travellers.

“Compliance with that order is critical for keeping Canadians safe,” he said.

Public Health Agency of Canada figures show 153 flights have arrived from outside Canada over the last two weeks on which at least one passenger later tested positive for COVID-19.

Transport Canada now requires people flying into the country present a negative test result conducted within 72 hours of boarding a plane. Health Minister Patty Hajdu said Friday 50,000 tickets for international travel have been cancelled since the new rule was announced on Dec. 31.

Trudeau said these requirements are starting to convince Canadians to stay put.

Union leaders and the National Airlines Council of Canada, the country’s largest airline industry association, have signed a letter urging Ottawa to collaborate with industry on any further changes to reduce travel.

The prime minister added that the next few weeks will be challenging for vaccine supply as Pfizer-BioNTech slows deliveries to Canada and other countries while the company retools its plant in Belgium. Trudeau said Pfizer-BioNTech has committed to ensuring Canada will receive four million vaccine doses by the end of March.

Provinces have reported a total of 738,864 vaccine doses used so far. That’s about 80 per cent of the available supply.

In British Columbia on Friday, plans were announced to allow the province’s oldest residents to pre-register for COVID-19 vaccinations starting in March after the most vulnerable groups have been immunized. The province’s mass immunization plan aims to administer vaccines to 4.3 million eligible residents by September.

COVID-19 cases began to spike across the country in December and January, which put a strain on hospitals. Quebec and Ontario were particularly hard hit and officials responded with restrictions.

Quebec instituted a curfew, while Ontario brought in an order for people to stay at home except for essential purposes such as work, food shopping or health care.

Daily case numbers have slightly decreased in Ontario in the last week. There were 2,662 new cases Friday and 87 more deaths.

The seven-day average of new daily cases was 2,703, down from a high of 3,555 on Jan. 11. There were 1,512 people in hospital on Friday, a decrease of 21 from the previous day.

COVID-19 continued to pressure some local hospitals, so Ottawa said it would send two federal mobile health units to the Greater Toronto Area, adding an additional 200 hospital beds.

Quebec has been under its province-wide curfew for nearly two weeks.

Health officials reported 1,631 new cases and 88 deaths Friday. Hospitalizations decreased by 27 people to 1,426.

Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, said bringing down the second wave of COVID-19 has been a “trickier path” than the first wave last spring. Daily case counts are higher than they were then and have increased demands on the health-care system.

“If we ease up too soon or too quickly, resurgence will be swift,” she said.

She also expressed concern that 31 cases of the United Kingdom COVID-19 variant, and three of the South African variant have been found in Canada. It’s believed that both are more contagious.

The cases were identified through screening smaller batches of tests. Tam said more needs to be done to understand the level at which new variants are circulating in communities.

Nova Scotia reported four new COVID-19 infections on Friday, two of which were variant cases. Health officials said both cases were related to international travel.

The New Brunswick government announced a full lockdown in the Edmundston region beginning Saturday. The number of active cases in the northwestern area of the province ballooned from seven infections two weeks ago to 129 on Friday.

There were 731,450 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada and 18,622 deaths as of Thursday. Over the past seven days, there were a total of 42,555 new cases. The seven-day rolling average was 6,079.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 22, 2021.

With files from Mia Rabson in Ottawa and Camille Bains in Vancouver.

News from © Canadian Press Enterprises Inc., 2021

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Wing On Travel Promo Codes in April 2024 for Hong Kong

Wing on travel coupon code - enjoy hkd 300 off on flight & hotel package - mastercard credit card.

Enjoy Wing On Travel's special promotion and book a Flight & Hotel Package to receive an HKD 300 discount by applying this promotion code upon checkout.

Wing On Travel Coupon Code - Enjoy HKD 180 Discount On Air Tickets - BoC Pay Offer

Book online for the air tickets with a discount of HKD 180. Paste this given Wing On Travel discount code Hong Kong at the checkout page.

Wing On Travel Coupon Code - Enjoy HKD 150 OFF On Hotel Reservation - BOC Visa Credit Card Offer

Visit this offer page and book online for hotels by applying this voucher code at the payment page to receive the best savings of HKD 150.

Wing On Travel Coupon Code - Cross-border High-speed Rail Tickets! Book Today & Get HK$40 OFF

Visit this offer page and book the cross-border High-speed Rail Tickets by applying this voucher code at the payment page to receive the best savings of HK$40 with your Mastercard credit card.

Wing On Travel Coupon Code - Book Boat Tickets With HKD 50 OFF - BoC Pay X Wing On Travel Monthly Pay Monthly Reward

Make your booking online for the boat tickets to receive a HKD 50 discount by applying this given promotion code upon checkout.

Wing On Travel Coupon Code - Pay With BoC Pay & Enjoy HKD 30 OFF High Speed Train Tickets

Visit this offer page and book online for High-Speed Train Tickets by applying this voucher code at the payment page to receive the best savings of HKD 30.

Wing On Travel Coupon Code - Macau Studio City Water Park Tickets! Book Today & Get 15% OFF

Visit this offer page and book the Macau Studio City Water Park Tickets by applying this voucher code at the payment page to receive the best savings of 15%.

Wing On Travel Coupon Code - BoC Pay X 永安旅遊 月Pay月賞 - Book Macau Ferry Ticket Products With HKD 50 OFF

Receive an HKD 50 discount by applying this given promotion code upon checkout on the Macau Ferry Ticket Products. Rush now!

Wing On Travel Coupon Code - BoC Pay Offer - Book Short-term Package Tickets With 15% OFF

In this special promotion period, simply paste this given discount code at the checkout page and receive the best savings of 15% on booking online for Short-term Package Tickets.

Wing On Travel Coupon Code - High Speed Train Tickets! Book Today & Enjoy HKD 30 OFF

Reserve high-speed rail tickets on the Yongan Travel website or mobile APP with the best savings of HKD 30 by applying this coupon on the payment page.

Wing On Travel Sale - Make Flight Bookings With Fiji Airways At WingOnTravel Starting From HKD500

Initiate your travel arrangements with Fiji Airways by securing your flight bookings at WingOnTravel, with prices starting from HKD500. Hurry claim the offer now.

Wing On Travel Sale - 中銀信用卡X週三喜飛 - Global Airport Transfers & Local Experience Tickets Starting From HKD 274

Book online for global airport transfers and local experience tickets at the starting price of HKD 274 when you settle your payment with a BOC Visa/Mastercard Credit Card.

Wing On Travel Sale - Summer Hokkaido Tour & Travel Group Package! Book Now & Get Up To 40% OFF

Simply come to this landing page and book the Summer Hokkaido Tour & Travel Group Package with awesome savings of up to 40%. Hurry up!

Wing On Travel Sale - Book Greater Bay Area Airlines Air Tickets From HKD1580

A Super Sale is here! Start booking online for Greater Bay Area Airlines Air Tickets with the beginning price of just HKD1580.

Wing On Travel Sale - Grab Up To 40% OFF Hong Kong Tourism Package

No need to pay full price on booking online for the Hong Kong Tourism Package. Visit this landing page and book now with the best savings of up to 40%.

Wing On Travel Sale - Book Designated Hong Kong Quarantine Hotels & Save HKD 750

Planning your stay at designated Hong Kong quarantine hotels? Then come to this offer page and book now with the best savings of HKD 750.

Wing On Travel Discount - Reserve Hotels In Tianjin From HKD240

Plan your upcoming vacation to Tianjin! Enjoy the cheapest starting price of HKD240 on Tianjin Hotel Reservation. Book now!

Wing On Travel Discount - Book Selected Huangshan Hotels From HKD236

Huangshan is famous for its steep peaks of Mesozoic granite rising 1,000 meters high. Book your favorite hotel stay online with the beginning price of HKD236.

Wing On Travel Discount - Hotels In Jiuzhaigou From Just HKD157

Planning to explore Jiuzhaigou with your family and friends? Then visit this offer page and book your hotel stay online for just HKD157.

Wing On Travel Discount - Book Hotels In Harbin From HKD102

Receive the starting price of HKD102 on booking online for your favorite hotel stay in Harbin with your family and friends.

Wing On Travel Discount - Book Hotels In Zhengzhou From HKD283

Just visit this offer page and book your hotel stay in Zhengzhou with your family and friends at the starting price of HKD283.

Similar Voucher Codes

Expedia coupon code - with mastercard expedia discount code hk 2024, get up to 70% + extra 12% off worldwide hotels.

Book your hotel stay online and get up to 70% unexpected discount. Settle your payment with Mastercard by using the promo code HK and get an additional 12% OFF. You'll also receive 1000 Rewards Points.

Hotels Combined Coupon Code - Top 5 Luxury Hotels In Hong Kong! Up To 50% OFF

Make your reservation online for the Top 5 Luxury Hotels In Hong Kong and receive an outstanding discount of up to 50%. Grab this deal now!

Agoda HK Coupon Code - Plan Your Travel place! Reserve Hotels & Get Up To 83% + 7% OFF

Redeem with the given promo code and get up to 83% + 7% OFF on your favorite travel destination hotels. BOOK NOW!

Booking.com Coupon Code - HSBC Card Offer! Book Hotels & Get Up To 10% Cashback

Receive a cashback of up to 10% on booking online for your desired destination hotels you also need to make your payment with your HSBC Visa Or Mastercard.

Expedia Coupon Code - Additional 10% Savings, Membership Perks, Points, & More On Joining Expedia HK Rewards

Expedia Hong Kong Rewards are waiting for you! Join now to enjoy an EXTRA 10% or more discount on selected hotels with member pricing, Membership perks, Unlock extra points, and many more.

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Active Wing On Travel Promo Code & Discount Codes for April 2024

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