(Editor's note): This article was updated at 2:45am on Wednesday, April 8, with Tan's response.

Tan reached out to Mothership to clarify that she had travelled to Taiwan for a solo backpacking tour as part of her graduation trip. A trekking enthusiast, she had climbed and stayed on the mountains in Nepal and Taiwan by herself several times before. As such, on the night she was approached by the Taiwanese policeman, she had fully intended to camp outdoors as part of her "desire to experience nature", and not due to financial constraints as the Jinshan Police Precinct had said.

She said she only gave in to the policeman after his "persistent requests" of giving her a free stay at a nearby hostel, and wanting to get her passport back as well, had settled for a night on the couch at the police station. She added that the policemen had insisted on giving her instant noodles and other food despite her well-stocked backpack of protein powder and energy bars.

Tan would also like to stress that as of March 11, Taiwan was not included in the list of places the Ministry of Health had advised Singaporeans to avoid non-essential travel to. 

A 20-year-old Singaporean woman stranded in Taiwan after her flight got cancelled was offered shelter by a police station in New Taipei City located in northern Taiwan.

Flight back to Singapore cancelled

According to a Facebook post by the Jinshan Police Precinct, a police officer, Guo Jun-hong, was on patrol when he felt something was amiss after spotting a woman standing at the entrance of a convenience store.

After he approached her, the woman, Tan Peh Yee, said she had entered Taiwan from Singapore on March 11, and was scheduled to return on March 30.

Although she was not required to self-quarantine, Tan isolated herself by 14 days in Taiwan, the police said.

However, her flight was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, forcing her to extend her stay in Taiwan.

She then left the port city of Keelung on March 31 to go for some sightseeing in Yehliu Geopark in New Taipei City.

Planned to stay the night at a tent

However, as she was left with not much money on her, Tan had decided to spend the night in her sleeping bag at a makeshift tent next to the car park at the Yehliu Geopark.

Tan told Guo she had planned to go back to the tent after using the WiFi available and charging her phone at the convenience store.

She had also planned to travel to her next destination the next day.

Yu offered temporary shelter & food at police station

Thinking it would be too cold for her to stay the night there -- the winds were strong that rainy night -- Guo then offered to shelter Tan temporarily at the Yehliu police station.

Upon reaching the police station, Guo took Tan's temperature to make sure she was not exhibiting any Covid-19 symptoms.

Offered food & a couch

Tan was offered hot water, instant noodles, toast and heat packs to make her stay at the police station comfortable.

She then spent the night on a couch available at the station.

The next morning, Yehliu police station chief, Zeng Zhong-qi, brought more instant noodles and bread for Tan.

Before leaving the station, Tan thanked the police for lending a helping hand to her, saying: "I'm touched by what the Taiwanese police did for me."

However, it is unknown where Tan went after her night at the station.

Top image via Jinshan Police Precinct