Taiwan lifted its ban on eating and drinking at airports starting Tuesday, as COVID dwindles in Taiwan. That means passengers traveling abroad will be able to enjoy a meal at the airport right before hopping on the plane. Over at Taoyuan International Airport, eateries in the departures area are reopening with dividers on tables and frequent disinfection.

It’s early in the morning at Taoyuan’s international airport, and some travelers are having breakfast at a food court. Since Tuesday, eating and drinking is once again allowed in the departures area. Passengers say it’s a change for the better.

Traveler
It feels more like I’m actually going abroad. At least you don’t have to eat breakfast before checking in. You can eat it in the airport.

Traveler
Eating in here is so much more convenient.

With COVID receding in Taiwan, the government has relaxed restrictions at airports. After Taiwan’s COVID outbreak in mid-May, eating and drinking had been forbidden at Taoyuan International airport since June 9. Now, four months later, so long as passengers can maintain a safe social distance, food and drink is once again on the menu, though not in the arrivals area.

Jerry Dann
Taoyuan International Airport
We’ve opened up several areas. Arriving passengers and air crew are managed separately, and are still subject to restrictions. But we are now allowing passengers to eat in the airport at restaurants in the departure area.

Currently, only 30% of food and drink businesses in the airport are operating normally, and that could go up to 50% with the easing of restrictions. The airport says it is confident that reallowing eating and drinking is a step in the right direction, as 95.6% of staff is already vaccinated. Food courts and table dividers will be disinfected regularly. The fundamentals of public health fundamentals will remain firmly in place.

Jerry Dann
Taoyuan International Airport
Airport staff, travelers and the general public will still have to keep vigilant, and maintain a safe social distance while in the airport.

Airport lounges will also reopen starting Wednesday, but travelers will be limited one to a seating area, and meals will be offered as individual servings. The lifting of the food and drink ban is not just making travel easier for passengers but also revitalizing the airport’s economy.