Press Release of the Offshore Control Division of the Executive Yuan's SARS Epidemic Prevention, Control and Relief Committee
Internationally renowned AIDS expert Doctor David Ho arrived in Taiwan today (May 10) on a flight from Hong Kong to inform himself about Taiwan's SARS prevention efforts, and to hold a press conference. Coming to Taiwan from Hong Kong, an "area with a concentration of SARS cases," Dr. Ho complied with all SARS prevention measures as promulgated by the Taiwan government.
At 9 a.m. today (May 10), Dr. Wu boarded Cathay Pacific flight 530 to Taiwan, and arrived at the CKS International Airport at 11 a.m. There he was welcomed and escorted to the Academia Sinica by Dr. Ho Mei-hsiang, a member of that institute. Taiwan itself has already complied with the WHO's list of "areas with a concentration of SARS cases," and is now strictly enforcing prevention and quarantine measures for all travelers entering Taiwan from such an area. Dr. Ho was very cooperative and complied fully with all procedures prescribed by Taiwan government regulations. He underwent a body temperature check both before boarding his plane and before entering Taiwan. He also wore a mask throughout the entire flight from Hong Kong. After entering Taiwan, he was served a quarantine notice by the Center for Disease Control. For the period of his stay in Taiwan, the Academia Sinica will be in charge of SARS prevention measures with regard to Dr. Ho.
Through his entire stay in Taiwan, Dr. Ho will be confining his movements to the Academia Sinica premises. All activities held during his short stay, including a small-scale conference, a dinner and a press conference, are to be held in the Academic Activity Center on the second floor of the Academia Sinica. The institute's administration has also stipulated that every person entering the Academic Activity Center today to participate in any of the above-mentioned activities will have to undergo body temperature checks and related prevention measures.
Dr. Ho's press conference will be held at 3 p.m. today (May 10), after which the Academia Sinica will provide a special car to escort him back to the airport. Dr. Ho will return to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific flight 531, departing from Taiwan at 8:45 p.m.