A briefing on Taiwan’s COVID-19 prevention efforts was jointly held by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Health and Welfare March 13 at MOFA headquarters in Taipei City, bringing together representatives of diplomatic and international organizations from more than 60 countries and territories to learn more about the country’s experience preventing spread of the new coronavirus.
Hosted by MOFA Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu, the event featured MOHW Minister Chen Shih-chung, who expounded on why Taiwan has a relatively low number of COVID-19 cases in spite of the country’s geographical proximity to China.
Chen attributed low infection rates to the government’s timely responses, such as inspection measures implemented Dec. 31, 2019, for flights arriving from the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the disease was first reported. The country also set up the Central Epidemic Command Center Jan. 20 and upgraded it to a first-tier entity Feb. 27 to ramp up efforts for strengthening border controls and furthering interdepartmental collaboration, he added.
According to Chen, other measures taken include mandatory quarantine regulations, surgical mask rationing, travel advisories, standardized procedures for disease screening and infection controls at medical institutions.
Taiwan’s success comes despite continued exclusion from the World Health Organization, Chen said, adding that the country has still been observing the International Health Regulations and reporting cases in real time to the global body as a responsible member of the international community.
Chen also called for the WHO to clarify border control regulations with the aim of avoiding misunderstandings among countries and territories and creating a seamless worldwide disease-fighting network.
According to the MOFA, Taiwan’s tireless endeavors to contain the spread of COVID-19 and safeguard the health and well-being of those in need were lauded by attendees. The country will continue working with like-minded partners to help the world weather this challenge, the ministry added. (YCH-E)
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