Day 417: how to take a covid test in taiwan

guide

okay getting a covid test here in order to fly back to the states was unnecessarily complex and confusing so ur boi is back at it with another quick guide.

\1. register for a test

the taiwanese government provides a list of hospitals where you can pay out of pocket for covid tests (look for the PDF that reads “Designated Hospital List for out-of-pocket COVID-19 PCR testing”)

i got mine done at cathay general hospital (which happens to be a hospital often recommended to expats due to being able to accommodate english speakers) and would recommend it

registration link: https://reg.cgh.org.tw/en/reg/main.jsp

the rest of the instructions will assume you’re getting tested at cathay general hospital

\2. pick a slot

when you try to pick a slot for cathay general hospital, you get a screen like this:

when i checked, slots were being taken like hot cakes so i’d recommend booking it as early as possible.

if you book the “afternoon clinic”, it gets hella confusing because it’s not clear at all when you should come in. i’ve gotten different answers when i’ve called the hospital on separate occasions to ask for clarification, but here’s the deal: if you book a slot for the “afternoon clinic”, your appointment is at 12pm. i don’t know why this is separate from the 12pm test time slot. don’t ask me.

\3. show up for your appointment

i showed up at 11:30am for my 12pm appointment with the following documents:

  • my covid test registration form (which you get a link to when you register)
  • a photocopy of my passport
  • a photocopy of my flight receipt

when you show up for your exam, go to the entrance for the emergency room, not the general entrance

once you register at the counter and pay NT$7000 ($250 USD) for your test, you can sit down and wait while you ponder why the heck the tests are so freaking expensive here

\4. get the test

swab way up nose. it was a lot more uncomfortable than i expected. cried a lil

\5. pick up your results

you’ll pick up your results the following day after 2:30pm. this time, you’ll go to the general entrance instead of the emergency one. bring your passport and your covid test receipt and you’ll have your results in no time

i’m really curious what happens if your results are positive (do government officials in crazy protective gear whisk you away?) so if that’s you, please let me know thanks