Finally, it’s time to disembark and heads toward the unknown. Before the pandemic, we would just head towards the baggage claim area after walking through custom. Now there will be checkpoint for 1) Covid Testing station, 2) Contact Registration Station, 3) Getting a local wireless account for contact registration. Not knowing what to expect, we proceeded in the direction where every one is headed. After about a 15 minutes walk, we came upon a congregation of people crowding around two stations, from a distance, I can make out that this would be where we would “purchase” our local phone that is needed during Contact registration. Just a note, so far our knowledge of what is needed or required is based on our US based friends who either went through it or heard it from a friend of a friend, if you know what I mean. So one thing we heard prior to our departure was we each need to purchase a cell phone with local wireless provider. So we stood in line at one of the station. When our turn came, we were asked what plan we needed? Huh? The salesperson pointed to a posting on the acrylic panel with the prices for wireless plan. We have the option of 7 days, 15 days, 30 days plan. So where is the price for the phone? Turned out there is not such thing, they do have rental phone if we want or we can use our US phone. The salesperson was nice enough to check our iphone to see if it will work with their sim card. Unfortunately, it didn’t, so rental phone it is. We went with the 15 days rental plan which included NT$100 of call credit and I think unlimited data for a price of NT$2500 each.
Right next to the wireless rental stations are two lines, one straight and headed away from the adjacent station managed by staff decked out white gowns and face shields and the whole enchilada of covid protective garb. Claudia and I split up to check on which line we need to be in. Turn out it is the long straight one for Contact Registration. Remember, we were struggling during departure to fill out that online form? Well this line is the same thing, but there are knowledgeable staff assisting us. This time around, the online form submission took about 5 minutes and they verified that the submission was successful and a barcode is shown before being herded to the covid testing station. Well not exactly a testing station we found out. Here they scanned the barcode on our phone and provided us with a plastic container, a plastic bag and some instruction and off we go. Since the path is corralled off, we just followed the arrow get to the testing station which is actually in the terminal exit lobby. Like a sheep, I just go where they pointed to row of stalls where you are suppose to spit the saliva into the plastic container and put it in the plastic bag. Just like a urine test state side. Your information are already in the database when they scan the barcode. After handing the specimen to the collecting station, we were pointed to the pickup area for our ride to either the quarantine hotel or designated home confinement.
This time it is not as stringent as earlier in the year. Now we are allowed to have a friend, relatives pick us up. Chanel had made arrangement for a private shuttle to pick us up and drop us off at our designated home confinement. Our family friend Jensen met us outside his highrise apartment to let us in. He left with his overnight bag and thus began our 3 + 4 quarantine.
Overall I would say the whole travel experience up to this point had been pretty smooth and pleasant, except for that guy that kept bouncing his recliner on the plane trying to get his perfect straight bed! Not sure if he realized he is in economy where the seat only recline a certain degree.
Update (Nov 12, 2022) : You know what they say about watching your wallet or credit card? Well, Claudia was going over the credit statement yesterday and noticed a suspicious charge for NT$99,000 on Sept 19 by a Neweb Professional Inc! Weird, we arrive on Sept 20th and the only charge we make that day was for phone rental before heading for lockdown. So my guess is the phone rental kiosk credit card machine was hacked! I would not be surprise we were not the only “lucky” one! Just laying out there for others to watch out for.
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