The Ministry of Culture (MOC) would like to issue the following clarification regarding the S2O Taiwan Songkran Music Festival, which is scheduled to take place this weekend on August 27 and 28, 2022.
MOC received an email from the organizer of the S2O Taiwan Songkran Music Festival on August 24, at around 8 pm, which included an application for the special entry permit as well as an epidemic prevention and control plan. A total of 68 foreign artists and staff are involved in this event, however, there were only two days left to review the application, and there was a lack of information on the epidemic prevention and control plan. Therefore, after a preliminary review, MOC has decided to reject the application. The organizers were informed of the decision by MOC and the invitees of the event were also notified through diplomatic channels.
According to the current entry quarantine and prevention measures in Taiwan, all travelers coming to Taiwan should undergo a three-day home quarantine and four-day self-initiated epidemic prevention. In response to this event, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) stated publicly at a press conference on August 18 that, if under any special circumstances, the organizer should apply for a special entry permit and submit an epidemic prevention and control plan to CECC.
MOC has repeatedly sent reminders to the organizer on August 18, 19, 23, and 24; and provided them with examples of an epidemic prevention and control plan. However, the documents that were submitted contained many omissions such as the failure to conduct a thorough site survey with the local government officials before the event; no advance notification was given to the airline company and the border control authorities for customs clearance; no other detailed information was provided, such as preventive measures, disinfection of hotels and performance venues, list of hotels where the artists and staff will be staying, and others. None of the abovementioned plans proposed by the organizer are in compliance with the current COVID-19 prevention regulations for international travelers.
MOC stressed that the Ministry will actively assist organizers in submitting applications to the CECC. Event organizers should abide by the current disease prevention regulations in Taiwan and jointly safeguard public health.
Clarification regarding the S2O Taiwan Songkran Music Festival.pdf