Due to popular demand, let's talk about hotel quarantine in Taiwan. Today has been my first full day in quarantine.
Others have written about it long ago, and I assume you know the basics of Taiwan's Covid prevention strategy. (If not, say so.)
Thread.
Others have written about it long ago, and I assume you know the basics of Taiwan's Covid prevention strategy. (If not, say so.)
Thread.
https://twitter.com/taiwanreporter/status/1346586784977854466
So this will be my world in the next 14 days: A standard room at the Orange Hotel near Ximen, Taipei City.
Not big, but it's mine!
(Does not look so tidy anymore after I started unpacking.)
Not big, but it's mine!
(Does not look so tidy anymore after I started unpacking.)
(Wow, everything really does look bigger through a wide angle lense.)
I found this hotel through the official Taipei City website listing all certified Covid quarantine hotels.
It used to be here, but is somehow not reachable right now... or is it?
english.gov.taipei/News_Content.a…
It used to be here, but is somehow not reachable right now... or is it?
english.gov.taipei/News_Content.a…
(Site opens okay now.)
Price is NT$3300 per night. About US$1750 / EUR1450 for the whole experience.
I think this is pretty much mid-range. I wanted a room with a window (bonus: can be opened), but not a suite.
Here's the Orange Ximen availability site: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d…
Price is NT$3300 per night. About US$1750 / EUR1450 for the whole experience.
I think this is pretty much mid-range. I wanted a room with a window (bonus: can be opened), but not a suite.
Here's the Orange Ximen availability site: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d…
A knock on the door, and dinner had magically appeared. So excuse me for a moment.
Okay, done. More about food later.
I booked the room in mid December. Two days before entering Taiwan, I put hotel info & me cell no. (will be tracked these 14 days) into the health registration online form.
hdhq.mohw.gov.tw/Default1
When I turned on my phone after landing...
I booked the room in mid December. Two days before entering Taiwan, I put hotel info & me cell no. (will be tracked these 14 days) into the health registration online form.
hdhq.mohw.gov.tw/Default1
When I turned on my phone after landing...
...I immediately received an SMS confirming I'm in the system, and no further detailed checks were necessary.
Took quarantine taxi to hotel for fixed (subsidized) price of NT$1300. Then my last glimpse of street life for some time.
Took quarantine taxi to hotel for fixed (subsidized) price of NT$1300. Then my last glimpse of street life for some time.
In the hotel, disinfection measures were more thorough than at the airport. Me & luggage sprayed with alcohol, plastic cover for shoes, then walk up stairs to room (suitcase got to ride in the elevator).
Then they put a shelf in front of my room door as a symbolic barrier.
Then they put a shelf in front of my room door as a symbolic barrier.
Perks and goodies that awaited me in the room. Including a thermometer for measuring temperature twice daily, laundry detergent (wash clothes in sink) and a really nice cup.
No one else will clean up the room while I am here, because I am in here.
No one else will clean up the room while I am here, because I am in here.
Lots of little attempts to give quarantine a friendly face and even gamify the experience. (But the hotel really needs to reconsider its prominently displayed English claim "Let's go anywhere".)
The hotel even announced a movie night this afternoon and provided unexpected snacks.
All this, of course, is meant to keep the spirits up and help guests accept their lot. I think it's definitely helpful, though you'd have to ask me again in ten days or so.
All this, of course, is meant to keep the spirits up and help guests accept their lot. I think it's definitely helpful, though you'd have to ask me again in ten days or so.
While you enjoy pics of my meals, some words about service:
Staff reacted super fast when asked for things like blanket (no heating), paper, scotch tape and proper chair. Appeared at my door in minutes. (No matter how quickly I open the door when it knocks, I never meet anyone.)
Staff reacted super fast when asked for things like blanket (no heating), paper, scotch tape and proper chair. Appeared at my door in minutes. (No matter how quickly I open the door when it knocks, I never meet anyone.)
So much for hotel service {they also reacted immediately after a minor earthquake alert just now.)
This afternoon, I had my first contact with the state apparatus tasked with making sure I stay put.
The Foreign Affairs Police called me.
This afternoon, I had my first contact with the state apparatus tasked with making sure I stay put.
The Foreign Affairs Police called me.
...asking if everything is all right, and with a friendly reminder not to turn the phone off our activate flight mode.
The policeman also said I could call his cell no. anytime or text him if necessary.
I expect follow-up calls at random times every other day or so.
The policeman also said I could call his cell no. anytime or text him if necessary.
I expect follow-up calls at random times every other day or so.
Okay, so much for today. Let's see what happens (if anything).
By chance yesterday German public broadcaster ZDF aired my report about a German family that moved to Zhubei last year, who also talk about good experiences with quarantine handling in Taiwan.
zdf.de/nachrichten/ha…
By chance yesterday German public broadcaster ZDF aired my report about a German family that moved to Zhubei last year, who also talk about good experiences with quarantine handling in Taiwan.
zdf.de/nachrichten/ha…
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The next thread in this saga starts here:
https://twitter.com/taiwanreporter/status/1348225425118429189
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