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 ten 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 (May 7)
1. On May 6 there were newspaper reports stating that a man named Kung, an ROC national, had returned to Taiwan on May 5 on EvaAir flight BR-806 from Macao. Upon entering Taiwan, his temperature was found to be above 38 degrees Celsius, and he was coughing. After investigation, our initial understanding of this case is as follows:
A. EvaAir flight crew have confirmed that Mr. Kung had worn a surgical mask during the entire flight. He had filled in his Questionnaire for SARS Prevention even before boarding the plane, though it is doubtful whether the information he provided is entirely truthful. EvaAir has already placed the crew of that flight under quarantine surveillance, and has forwarded the data of all passengers on that flight to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for further handling of the matter.
B. The competent authorities (Center for Disease Control/Civil Aeronautics Administration/Mainland Affairs Council) are to investigate today (May 7) whether Mr. Kung did indeed fail to fill in a Questionnaire for SARS Prevention truthfully, and entered Taiwan by deceitful skills. They will handle the matter in accordance with related regulations.
2. Number of Type B Home Quarantine Notices to Travelers Entering Taiwan
A. From April 28 until May 6, a total of 13,896 Type B Home Quarantine Notices were issued at Taiwan's two international airports. Of these, 11,130 were issued at the CKS International Airport, the other 2766 at the Kaohsiung International Airport.
B. On April 29, May 2 and May 4, Type B Home Quarantine Notices were served to 614 travelers coming to Taiwan via the “Mini-Three-Links” route.
3. Implementation Overview of Type B Home Quarantine
A. CKS International Airport
a. Yesterday (May 6), the number of passengers entering Taiwan meeting conditions for quarantine was 810. Of these, 772 were placed under home quarantine, 30 were transferred to the Hungwu Military Camp, and eight were put under quarantine in the transit hotel.
b. Of the travelers placed under Type B Home Quarantine yesterday (May 6), 177 used some form of public (mass) transportation to leave the airport, while 64 took a taxi.
c. There are currently 123 people placed under quarantine at the Hungwu Military Camp (total capacity: 180). At the transit hotel, a total of 100 people are currently undergoing quarantine.
B. Kaohsiung International Airport
Yesterday (May 6), the number of incoming passengers meeting conditions for quarantine was 168, of which 167 were placed under Type B Home Quarantine. Only three of these left the airport using some form of public (mass) transportation. Only one passenger was transferred to the Hungwu Military Camp.
C. Commercial Seaports
a. The commercial ports (incl. harbors serving the “Mini-Three-Links” route) under the jurisdiction of the MOTC's four Harbor Administrations yesterday (May 6) reported the following numbers: a total of 86 passenger/cargo ships entered Taiwan ports. A total of two people disembarked. A total of 144 people entered Taiwan, all of who (incl. crew/staff) were placed under home quarantine. None were placed under centralized quarantine.
b. From April 28 to May 6, a total of 243 passenger/cargo ships entered Taiwan ports. A total of two people disembarked. A total of 726 people entered Taiwan, all of who (incl. crew/staff) were placed under home quarantine. None were placed under centralized quarantine.
D. Fishing Harbors
a. Yesterday (May 6), a total of 14,127 fishing boat crew underwent body temperature checks. A total of two Taiwan crew were placed under home quarantine, while six Taiwan crew were put under quarantine aboard their ships. A total of five Mainland Chinese crew were placed under quarantine aboard their ships. None of the above thirteen crew have since shown any signs of infection with SARS.
b. Up to yesterday (May 6), a total of 48,749 fishing boat crew had undergone body temperature checks. Of these, six Taiwan crew were placed under home quarantine, while 13 Taiwan crew were put under quarantine aboard their ships. A total of 16 Mainland Chinese crew were placed under quarantine aboard their ships.
E. At the Hungwu Military Camp, another 60 quarantine berths are added this afternoon (total capacity: 180 beds). The Offshore Control Division has already asked the Taoyuan County Police Department to further increase the number of beds for quarantine patients.
4. “SARS Cleanup Mission” and Handling of Illegal Immigrants from the Mainland
A. National Police Administration (NPA): The NPA has already drafted an action plan for the implementation of the “SARS Cleanup Mission.” Yesterday (May 6), the NPA has in writing instructed all related agencies (Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Justice, MOJ Investigation Bureau, Military Police Headquarters) and police departments to put the Mission into practice.
B. Coast Guard Administration (CGA) and Fisheries Administration: On May 6, the temporarily stationary ship Jin Jin Feng Hao had been found to be hiding four Mainland fishermen and two ROC nationals. The ship was hauled into the harbor for quarantine. The competent fisheries administration departments and the CGA have already been instructed to directly report the 66 Mainland fishermen aboard to the local health authorities for issuance of quarantine notices.
C. Housing Issues of Illegal Immigrants:
a. The NPA has already informed police departments to prepare adequate shelters to take in all illegal Mainland immigrants that are apprehended during the period of the “SARS Cleanup Mission.”
b. The Offshore Control Division has already asked the NPA to speedily take care of the setting up of such shelters. The Offshore Control Division has also asked the Straits Exchange Foundation to contact the Mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait to allow a more speedy repatriation of PRC nationals in Taiwan shelters, or to increase the number of repatriations.
III. The Government Information Office has published a “SARS Prevention Pamphlet,” and the Offshore Control Division has asked all relevant governmental agencies to distribute/display this pamphlet in public places to inform the population adequately about SARS prevention measures.