The World Dream cruise which had been denied entry in Taiwan amid concerns of coronavirus infection on board, is seen docked at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in Hong Kong on Wednesday. (Reuters photo)

TAIPEI: Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Centre on Thursday imposed a total ban on Chinese travellers going to the island from the mainland, amid the outbreak of a new coronavirus.

The centre also banned foreigners who have visited Hong Kong or Macau from entering Taiwan, effective Friday. But foreigners who have residency status in Taiwan can go to the island.

Taiwanese people who have visited China, Hong Kong or Macau must quarantine themselves at home for 14 days. Hong Kong and Macau residents in Taiwan will have to quarantine themselves at home for 14 days, beginning Friday.

Taiwan has reported 11 cases of infection with the virus.

Amid a shortage of facemasks, the centre on Thursday began limiting sales to two per individual over a seven-day period, while also requiring the public to present their health insurance IDs upon purchase at drugstores.

Taiwan's health authority also banned all international cruise ships from docking at the island from Thursday amid increasing threat of the coronavirus outbreak, after 10 more people were tested positive for the virus on a quarantined cruise liner in Japan.

Many tourists aboard the Japanese cruise ship entered Taiwan for a day-trip when the boat anchored at its northern port of Keelung on Jan 31, according to immigration authority, with local media saying they probably visited several popular tourist sites in Taipei.