Press Release of the Offshore Control Division of the Executive Yuan's SARS Epidemic Prevention, Control and Relief Committee
Implementation Report on Control Measures by the Offshore Control Division of the Executive Yuan's SARS Epidemic Prevention, Control and Relief Committee
I. We have held nine consecutive meetings since the Offshore Control Division began its work on April 28. The focus of these sessions has been on reviewing and discussing the implementation of control measures and the strengthening of accompanying measures by the relevant agencies, as well as public reaction to the measures implemented in accordance with the government's major policy decisions. Another important issue being addressed is to assess to what degree we have managed to put our measures into practice and to provide the relevant services.
II. Focal Points of this Session (Saturday)
1. Different Exit Regulations for “Type A Home Quarantine” and “Type B Home Quarantine”
A. People who are placed under Type A Home Quarantine because they have come into close contact with suspected or probable SARS patients. They must obtain approval from a member of their local health stations whenever they need to leave their home for an urgent reason. The Center for Disease Control will report all suspected or probable SARS cases that are currently hospitalized to the Bureau of Immigration. All such patients, as well as those placed under Type A Home Quarantine, will be barred from leaving the country during the quarantine period. Those who violate this regulation will be punished according to the law.
B. People who are placed under Type B Home Quarantine because they have entered/returned to Taiwan from an area with a concentration of SARS cases. They are allowed go out to seek medical attention, to do physical exercise in open areas, to buy prepared meals and newspapers, and to dispose of garbage, if they wear a surgical mask or have already obtained permission from the health station staff. A record must be kept of all such movements. Those who need to leave the country should have obtained special permission from their local health stations, or a DOH/county hospital, and must undergo an examination of ear temperature check before they are allowed to depart. However, we advise all those concerned to wait at least until completion of the seventh day of home quarantine before they venture to leave the country.
C. Those who are placed under Type B Home quarantine wishing to re-exit the country must still carry their officially stamped Type B Home Quarantine Notice for SARS Prevention with them for inspection during exit procedures. Those who wish to re-exit the country before completion of their ten-day home quarantine period must carry their Home Quarantine Notice and an approval certificate issued by a health authority stating that their body temperature tests are normal before they can be allowed to leave the country.
D. The Offshore Control Division has already instructed all relevant agencies to strengthen their efforts in explaining the above regulations and procedures to the general public. It has also asked the Bureau of Immigration and local health authorities to follow all regulations and procedures closely.
2. Overview of the Current Situation of Passengers Placed under Type B Home Quarantine:
A. Report from the CKS International Airport
a) Yesterday (May 5), the total number of incoming passengers meeting conditions for home quarantine was 542, of which 516 were under Type B Home Quarantine, another 18 were admitted to the Hungwu Military Camp, while the remaining 8 people were placed under quarantine in the transit hotel.
b) Of all the incoming passengers to be placed under Type B Home Quarantine, 106 left the airport using some form of public transportation, accounting for 19.6% of the total number of people meeting the conditions for Type B Home Quarantine.
c) Currently there are 93 people under care at the Hungwu Military Camp (total capacity: 180 beds), while a total of 92 people are at present undergoing quarantine in the transit hotel.
B. Report from the Kaohsiung International Airport
Yesterday (May 5), the total number of incoming passengers meeting conditions for home quarantine was 112, of which 111 were under Type B Home Quarantine (five of which left the airport using some form of public transportation). The remaining one passenger was conveyed to the Hungwu Military Camp.
C. Situation in the Nation's Commercial Seaports
a) Since May 2, a total of 209 cargo ships from SARS-affected areas have entered Taiwan's seaports. Of the disembarking crew, ten were placed under Type B Home Quarantine, none of who used public transportation. Of the disembarking passengers, 572 were placed under Type B Home Quarantine, all of which had entered Taiwan via the Kinmen's “Mini-Three-Links” route.
b) Information about SARS has been posted on the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) website. In addition, the “Interim Regulations of SARS Control” will be printed on large posters to be displayed in airports and harbors.
D. Regarding those who are under Type B Home quarantine and need to use public transportation when returning to their homes for home quarantine from the airport, the Offshore Control Division has made special arrangements with airport administrations. Under these arrangements, special staff of the airport is sent to take care of those quarantine subjects. In cooperation with the businesspeople of the airport bus, airport taxi and car rental services, the Offshore Control Division has asked them to record the passport numbers of these passengers, and forward them to the Bureau of Consular Affairs for confirmation and retrieval of relevant data. This will help us to track these passengers' movements. We have also asked harbor administrations to apply corresponding procedures. After having reached their homes for compulsory quarantine, these quarantine subjects are advised to refrain from using public transportation in accordance with the Home Quarantine Notice regulations.
III. There have been newspaper reports that an ROC national returning to Taiwan from Macao was found to show symptoms such as fever and coughing upon entering Taiwan. He was immediately conveyed to the Taichung Veterans General Hospital for treatment. In response to this case, the Offshore Control Division contacted the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in Macao to gain an insight into current quarantine measures at the Macao International Airport. In addition to this, the MOTC Civil Aeronautics Administration is conducting an investigation of the case with the help of the airline concerned.