President Tsai Ing-wen praised the enhanced border control measures undertaken at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport April 7 during a visit to the country’s largest global transport hub, adding that the government is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to prevent further imported cases of COVID-19.
Measures including the use of infrared thermography to screen arrivals for fever, luggage sterilization and a required health declaration and home quarantine notification form have played a vital role in the country’s relative success managing COVID-19, Tsai said. Many cases have been identified on arrival, including nationals who returned from Wuhan, the Chinese city where the coronavirus behind the disease was first reported late last year, she added.
Using regularly disinfected taxis to transport passengers for 14-day mandatory quarantine has also proven effective, Tsai said, adding that the airport’s cooperation with drivers and firms has ensured arrivals do not need to use public transportation. Starting April 3, all passengers displaying symptoms of COVID-19 must use these taxis to travel to a facility in northern Taiwan to undergo their quarantine.
Tsai thanked all airport workers and taxi drivers for safeguarding the nation’s health, saying their selfless contributions are greatly appreciated by the government and people.
According to Tsai, a relief act of NT$1,050 billion (US$34.9 billion) aimed at mitigating the economic impact of coronavirus was approved April 2 by Premier Su Tseng-chang, which will help the aviation and transportation industries during a difficult period.
Statistics from the CECC reveal 379 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Taiwan as of April 8, including five deaths. A total of 1,370,810 cases have been identified in 182 other countries and territories. (YCH-E)
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