Conference Information
Welcome from Taiwan CDC
Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is honored to host the 10th Southeast Asia and Western Pacific Bi-Regional TEPHINET Scientific Conference. In addition to the participation of trainers and trainees, we hope that alumni of regional FETPs will also join us for the occasion. During the conference, we will share the works we have done, especially at this time, when FETPs had played pivotal roles in the COVID-19 pandemic response. We look forward to a fruitful conference.
About Taiwan FETP
Following a poliomyelitis outbreak in 1982, Taiwan FETP was established in 1984 with assistance from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC). Taiwan FETP has been a member of TEPHINET since 1998. Taiwan FETP is a 2-year program that is based at the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control and provides advanced field epidemiology training and service. Taiwan FETP has had 34 cohorts, with over 100 graduates having successfully completed their training and engaging in public health services, including the emergency response to COVID-19.
Conference Steering Committee
Chair: Dr. Jui-Yuan Hsueh, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan
Vice Chair: Dr. Jih-haw Chou, Director-General, Centers for Disease Control, Taiwan
Dr. Carl Reddy, Director, TEPHINET
Dr. Maria Consorcia Lim-Quizon, Executive Director, SAFETYNET
Dr. Kip Baggett, Branch Chief, Workforce and Institute Development Branch, Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States
Conference Scientific Committee
Chair: Dr. Feng-Yee Chang, Professor and Deputy Superintendent, Tri-Service General Hospital, former Director-General, Centers for Disease Control, Taiwan
Vice Chair: Prof. Martyn Kirk, Advisory Board, TEPHINET
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Dr. Angela Hilmers, Representative of TEPHINET
Dr. Maria Concepcion Roces, Representative of SAFETYNET
Dr. Alden Henderson, Epidemiologist, Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States
Dr. Karoon Chanachai, former Director, Field Epidemiology Training Program for Veterinarians, Thailand (served until May 2020)
Dr. Fadzilah Kamaludin, Deputy Director, SAFETYNET
Dr. Shan-Chwen Chang, Executive Vice President, National Taiwan University, Taiwan
Dr. Jung-Der Wang, Honorary Chair Professor, Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan
Dr. Chih-Hsien Lin, Deputy Director, Animal Health Inspection Department, Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine, Taiwan
Dr. Wan-Ting Huang, Attending Physician, National Taiwan University Children’s Hospital, Taiwan
Dr. Song-En Huang, Medical Officer, Centers for Disease Control, Taiwan
Dr. Wan-Chin Chen, Director, Taiwan Field Epidemiology Training Program, Centers for Disease Control, Taiwan (representative of Local Host Committee)
General Information
Taiwan is located between the southeastern coast of the Asian continent and the East Asian islands distributed among the Western Pacific Rim. Renowned internationally for its towering mountains, it is spotted with numerous mountain peaks that rise 3,000 meters above sea level. Located on the island is Northeast Asia's highest peak, Yushan (Jade Mountain), which is nearly 4,000 meters in height.
Taiwan has a population of about 23 million which consists of various ethnic groups. The diversity in Taiwan’s culture and heritage is formed along with the integration of different ethnic groups, and thereby achieves harmony and prosperity among various religions, architecture, languages, lifestyles, and cuisines. In addition to development of dynamic capitalist economy towards nanotechnology, biotechnology, optoelectronics, and tourism service industry, Taiwan is also known for promoting gender equality and human rights, being the first and the only country in Asia to have legalized same-sex marriage as of March 2021.
The cultural kaleidoscope of Taiwan pulses wherever you go. Incense-veiled temples dating back to dynastic times blend seamlessly with a neon street life of a decidedly more modern era. Taiwan has dozens of world-class restaurants where one can sample the best regional cuisines; and for the gourmand, there are plenty of night markets serving up scrumptious evening snacks in an environment of excitement and fun.
Taipei, officially Taipei City, is located in northern Taiwan, and includes the northeastern part of the Taipei Basin and surrounding hills. It is the political, economic, educational, and cultural center of Taiwan and a major hub in East Asia, served by two international airports.
Thanks to advances in economic development and robust public transportation systems, important international conferences and exhibitions are frequently held here in Taipei, drawing overseas travelers to visit, do business, stay, and study. Its ethnic fusion has styled Taipei to become a melting pot of cultural diversity.
Taipei is home to various world-famous architectural and cultural landmarks, including Taipei 101, Dalongdong Baoan Temple, National Palace Museum, and night markets dispersed throughout the city. Natural features such as Maokong, Yangmingshan, and hot springs are also well known to international visitors.
Entering Taiwan
As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an evolving situation, affecting regional travel plans, we advise all attendees to check the latest updates regarding the conference and visit the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak website for travel alerts and entry requirements for travelers coming to Taiwan. Refer to the flowchart here for more information.
1. VISA Requirement:
Starting March 1, 2021, foreign nationals who wish to travel to Taiwan for reasons other than tourism and regular social visits may apply for a special entry permit with an R.O.C. overseas mission by submitting relevant documents and forms (https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw/BOCA_EVISA/).
2. Quarantine:
To safeguard domestic COVID-19 control efforts, all inbound travelers to Taiwan are required to provide a COVID-19 RT-PCR negative test report issued within three working days of your incoming flight's scheduled departure time. Travelers should also log into the Quarantine System for Entry (scan the QR code or visit http://hdhq.mohw.gov.tw/), use your mobile phone to fill out the health declaration form prior to your departure, and make an affidavit stating that the location of your intended 14-day home quarantine in Taiwan (to be conducted in a quarantine hotel or in a home with one person per residence) meets relevant regulations. Travelers who have not arranged quarantine places upon entering Taiwan will be rejected for boarding. After completing the 14-day quarantine, travelers shall continue to practice an additional 7 days of self-health management.
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3. After arrival:
Wear a mask at all times. Purchase a prepaid SIM card from a Taiwan telecom service provider at the airport. Please enable the roaming service of your mobile device once you arrive Taiwan. You will receive a link for the health declaration form (Home Quarantine Notice) via SMS on your mobile device. Please use a free Wi-Fi and provide the Taiwan mobile phone number when you complete the health declaration form. Present the health declaration form (Home Quarantine Notice) for verification to quarantine officers when you arrive at the fever screening and quarantine station before going to the immigration and passport control area.
4. Transportation:
Travelers required to undergo quarantine are not allowed to take public transportation. You can use designated taxi services for transporting travelers subject to mandatory quarantine from the airport to your hotel or home. For passengers going to Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, Taoyuan and Hsinchu, please board scheduled metered taxis at the airport; metered rides will only charge a maximum of NT$1,000.
5. Health monitoring:
Please record your temperature and health condition twice a day for 14 days. The Taiwan government will trace and contact you through the domestic mobile phone number during the quarantine period. If you have symptoms such as fever, cough, or other discomfort, please contact the local health authorities or call the toll-free hotline, 1922.
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Conference Venue
Regent Taipei Hotel, located in Zhongshan district, is situated in the bustling heart of Taipei City, and near MRT Zhongshan Station (R11/G14). If you need assistance in booking a quarantine hotel or conference accommodation, please feel free to contact tephinet2021@come2meet.com.
Additional information
1. Time Zone
The local time in Taiwan is GMT +8 hours.
2. Official Language
The official language of Taiwan is Mandarin Chinese, though English is widely spoken in Taipei.
3. Climate
Taiwan enjoys warm weather all year round. Weather conditions fluctuate during spring and winter, while in summer and autumn the weather is relatively stable. The average temperature in June is 28 degrees Celsius. For more information, please visit the official website at https://www.cwb.gov.tw/eng/.
4. Electricity
Taiwan uses electric current of 110 volts. Many buildings also have sockets with 220 volts. Visitors with appliances of different plugs are urged to bring adapters. Type A and type B sockets are used in Taiwan.
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5. Currency
The currency of Taiwan is the New Taiwan Dollar, which has five denominations in paper money and five in coins. Paper money comes in NT$2000, NT$1000, NT$500, NT$200, and NT$100 denominations. Coins come in NT$50, NT$20, NT$10, NT$5 and NT$1 denominations. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at government-designated banks, hotels and department stores.
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Major credit cards such as American Express, Master Card, JCB, and Visa are widely accepted, and traveler's checks may be cashed at foreign-exchange banks. Most local stores do not accept traveler's checks; please be sure to exchange for NTD beforehand.
6. Service Charge & Tax
It is customary to charge 10% service fee in hotels and some restaurants. Tipping is not mandatory; nonetheless, you can always show your appreciation with a small reward for good service.
7. Mobile & Wi-Fi Networks
If you wish to use a cell phone and Wi-Fi service during your stay in Taiwan, several telecom operators provide 3G/4G prepaid SIM cards with different rate plans, and some include unlimited data access and special call rates. For free wireless internet access services, please go to the official website of iTaiwan service and click on “surfing” to login.
8. Tourist Attractions
All delegates attending the conference in Taiwan are recommended to go enjoy the scenes and cultural tastes of Taiwan. You may access tourism information from the official tourism websites (eng.taiwan.net.tw, www.taiwantrip.com.tw, and www.taiwantourbus.com.tw/C/us/home), or use the 24-hour toll-free travel information hotline: 0800-011-765.
9. Getting around
While in Taipei, you can make good use of the mass rapid transport system (MRT) and buses. For details on MRT transportation, please visit the official website at https://english.metro.taipei/Default.aspx. The Taiwan Railway system and Taiwan High Speed Rail are easy to navigate for people who want to venture out of Taipei. All passengers must wear a mask at all times on public transportation and their respective stations.
