The Central Epidemic Command Center is reporting Taiwan's first case of a
new, more transmissible coronavirus variant from South Africa.

The patient is an Eswatini national who tested positive for the coronavirus
after arriving in Taiwan in late December.

New quarantine regualtions are being introduced for people arriving in Taiwan
from South Africa and Eswatini from today.

From today, all arrivals from South Africa and Eswatini, as well as travelers
who have visited or transited through either of those countries in the two
weeks prior to coming to Taiwan, will be required to stay in
government-designated quarantine centers for 14 days on arrival.

Travelers from the two countries will also be tested for the coronavirus on
their first day of quarantine and prior to completing quarantine.

The new coronavirus variant was first detected in South Africa and the World
Health Organization has estimated it is 1.5 times more transmissible than
previous strains.

The strain has been detected in at least 12 countries.