Press Release of the Offshore Control Division of the Executive Yuan's SARS Epidemic Prevention, Control and Relief Committee
May 9, 2003/Serial No. 0017
Today (May 9), the Offshore Control Division linked up again with the CKS International Airport and the Kaohsiung International Airport for a video conference. The purpose of the session was to confirm that all SARS prevention procedures are properly implemented, and to draft response measures to deal with a new development: on May 7, the WHO had declared Metro Manila (Philippines) an "area with recent local transmission of SARS." Another item under discussion was whether or not to extend the Type B Home Quarantine measures for travelers entering Taiwan.
After the WHO had declared Metro Manila an "area with recent local transmission of SARS," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that beginning from May 9, the entire Philippines are put on Taiwan's quarantine list, which means that the same visa regulations now apply for the Philippines as for other "areas with a concentration of SARS cases." After joint deliberations, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Council of Labor Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided that in principle Philippine nationals who had already been issued a visa before May 9 will still be allowed to enter Taiwan.
"Type B Home Quarantine" measures (for travelers entering Taiwan) have been in place for ten days now, and the first quarantine subjects are due for release from quarantine restrictions. The Offshore Control Division declared that to avoid affecting the right of re-exiting Taiwan after the quarantine period, those who should be quarantined need to fully comply with regulations and report to the authorities to complete their quarantine procedures. Quarantine subjects who wish to leave the country after completion of the prescribed quarantine period are required to produce their "Type B Home Quarantine Notice" or "Compulsory Quarantine Notice for SARS Prevention" with an official stamp indicating the proper conclusion of quarantine formalities, before they will be allowed to leave the country. To ensure proper implementation of this regulation, airline staff are required to make sure during check-in procedures that travelers previously under quarantine are carrying their officially stamped quarantine papers, and have completed quarantine in accordance with regulations.
Another issue on the agenda was the question whether CNN reporter Michael Chinoy will have to undergo quarantine when coming to Taiwan to cover the SARS epidemic here. The related departments investigated the case, and found that Mr. Chinoy will be entering Taiwan after transfer in Bangkok, and at that point will have spent more than ten days in areas without a concentration of SARS cases. Therefore, there will be no need for Mr. Chinoy to undergo quarantine.
◆Airline Counter Check-In Procedures for Previous Quarantine Subjects