TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Quarantine taxis are again allowed to carry ordinary passengers after proper disinfection starting Monday (March 7).

In March last year, the country dedicated a cab fleet to shuttling arrivals from the airport to quarantine facilities in an effort to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. The cabs were banned from picking up anyone other than arrivals from Jan. 9 in the run-up to the Lunar New Year due to a tightened infection control plan.

The Ministry of Transportation announced Sunday (March 6) that the ban has ended, and quarantine taxis can now transport ordinary people as long as a set of protocols is observed.

In addition to a mask and gloves, drivers have since Jan. 9 been required to wear a hazmat suit and ensure a curtain or some other form of partition is installed in their vehicle. Each ride involving arrivals must be followed by disinfection and the suspension of service for at least 30 minutes. This is in addition to regular PCR testing, among other health monitoring measures.

Taiwan is opening up to foreign business travelers from Monday with a shortened mandatory quarantine. The country’s centralized isolation facilities are bracing for an expected surge in cases once the border rules are relaxed.