The cumulative total of confirmed cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection in China is rapidly growing, and the total number of cases has exceeded 20,000 as of February 4, 2020. Cases have been reported in all Chinese administrative districts, and a large scale of community-based cluster continues to emerge in each Chinese province and city. Additionally, main cities in China have imposed restrictions on land transport and the movement of the residents, which indicated that the range of community transmission in China might expand. Considering the severe outbreak situation in China and close cross-strait social and commercial exchanges, on February 5, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that starting from February 6, travelers with a history of travel to China, Hong Kong and Macau are required to be under home quarantine after entering Taiwan. Nonetheless, travelers returning to Taiwan who were permitted to visit Hong Kong and Macau are required to conduct self-health management for 14 days. The entry of Chinese residents will be suspended.

CECC pointed out that several community-transmitted cases with unknown origin have occurred in Hong Kong, indicating the possibility of invisible chain of infection. On the other hand, a worker in the gambling industry of Macau has been diagnosed with 2019-nCoV infection, indicating a second wave of infection in Macau. Due to the close social and commercial exchanges between Macau and China, the travel notice level for Hong Kong and Macau was raised to Level 2: Alert on February 5. CECC urges travelers visiting the areas to reinforce prevention measures. Furthermore, CECC will closely monitor the development of disease outbreak and adjust endemic area and the level of travel notices accordingly.