A Taiwanese man, sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Palau for his alternative military service, was denied transit in Guam by a United Airlines staff. The United Airlines staff believed that regulations do not permit recipients of the Medigen vaccine to transfer via US territory.
Misunderstanding Over the Medigen Vaccine
The Taiwan government explained on Wednesday that there was a “misunderstanding” on existing regulations. A press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ on Wednesday explained what happened. According to the press release, Taiwan sent four men to serve in Palau for their alternative military service. The four men flew via EVA Air to Narita International Airport on November 21. And from Tokyo, the men transferred to a United Airlines flight to Guam.
Three of the four men were able to transit via Guam and arrived in Palau on November 22. However, one of the men was denied to enter Guam. A United Airlines staff believed that the Medigen vaccine didn’t meet Guam’s vaccine requirements for transit.
When the airline still refused to allow the man to board, the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) arranged a flight for his return to Taiwan on November 23.
The Taiwanese man is scheduled to Palau again. But this time, he is going to use another route once he completes his 14-day quarantine.
FDA and WHO Approved Vaccines
US allows fully vaccinated travelers. However, it should be an FDA or a WHO-approved vaccine. This includes Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Moderna, Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Covaxin, Covishield, Sinopharm, and Sinovac vaccines.
According to the Governor’s Office of Guam, travelers who received an FDA or WHO approved vaccine do not have to quarantine. However, it isn’t the same case for transit passengers.
After the incident, the Governor’s Office of Guam and the Guam Visitors Bureau clarified the situation with Taiwan representative office in Guam. It was then called a “unilateral decision” by United Airlines staff at Narita Airport “not familiar with the latest update to Guam’s entry regulations”. Also, the Governor’s Office said that it will notify carriers to prevent a repeat of the incident.
