COVID in Taiwan

A year ago, I decided to begin the arduous process of applying for a Fulbright to Taiwan, because it has been a dream of mine to live in Taipei.  I received the award to complete a two-year Master's of Science in Global Health from the National Taiwan University, while on temporary leave from medical school.  Taiwan, with one of the most effective national health systems in the world, provides an excellent backdrop for me to study global health immersed in a non-Western perspective.  Additionally, I am eager to improve my Chinese so that I can speak fluently with my future patients and research collaborators.  My Fulbright experience will lay the foundation for my career's work as a doctor and researcher practicing on an international level.

The first hurdle was traveling internationally in the time of COVID.

New COVID cases in Taiwan

Taiwan has managed its COVID situation remarkably well, instituting serious, universal public health measures with alacrity.  For a country of 23.5 million people, there have been only 16,000 reported positive cases (less than 0.07% of the population, compared to 12.88% in the United States) and 840 deaths.  The tragic spike that you can see on the graph May through June resulted in the borders being closed to all noncitizens, thus delaying my visa and entry for about a month.  Although the border restrictions have been loosened slightly, visas are only being issued on a special case-by-case basis, prioritizing students.

Vaccinations in Taiwan

The greatest barrier to controlling the epidemic in Taiwan has been access to the vaccine.  Due to political tensions, they were unable to get Pfizer or Moderna vaccines early on and were developing their own domestic vaccine.  Currently, about 7% of the population is fully vaccinated against COVID, but about 50% has received one dose, and many more are eagerly awaiting their turns.

My almost entirely empty international flight

Taipei airport

Passengers marked for quarantine after deplaning

COVID testing at the airport

Everyone sanitized before getting in the taxis

One of the most powerful tools employed by the government against the pandemic is the quarantine.  All travelers must quarantine for two weeks upon entry to Taiwan.  Unlike quarantines imposed by some states in the US, this one is very strict and more logical.  As soon as I dismounted the plane, my phone was registered with the government so they can track my location and monitor my health daily.  After taking another COVID test (the first being a day before I travelled) and having all my luggage and clothes spritzed with disinfectant, I was individually driven in a special "disease-prevention taxi" to my quarantine hotel.  In the quarantine hotel, I am not allowed to step outside my room for 15 days.  Three meals a day are delivered to my door.  Twice a day, I have to take my temperature and report any symptoms.  After I am released from isolation, I will have to take another "disease-prevention taxi" to a different hotel, where I will stay for a week for a Self-Health Management period.  During this period, I'll be allowed to go out so long as I wear a mask, although guests are encouraged to stay in.  My temperature, symptoms, and contacts will still be tracked.  After 22 days, I will finally be delivered from quarantine and allowed to move into my dorm at NTU.  I will still have to abide by the universal mask mandate.