Coronavirus News | Office of Global Mandarin Education

Public urged to be on alert if they have been to locations where infected sailors visited between April 15 and 18. TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Members of the public are being told to be on the alert for symptoms of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) if they have been to one of the 90 locations in 10 counties and cities in Taiwan where 24 confirmed cases from the Taiwanese Navy had been in mid-April. Over the weekend, 24 sailors from the "Fleet of Friendship" were confirmed to have contracted the coronavirus. Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) spokesperson Chuang Jen-hsiang (莊人祥) on Sunday (April 19) said that the government would send a text message that day to warn the public about where the 24 sailors spent over 15 minutes between April 15 and 18, reported CNA. The CECC estimates the sailors traveled to about 90 locations in 10 counties and cities across Taiwan during that period, including Keelung, New Taipei, Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung. On Saturday (April 18), the CECC announced that three navy trainees had tested positive for COVID-19, forcing 700 fellow crew members to go into quarantine. On Sunday, the CECC reported 21 more navy personnel had contracted the virus. That same day, the CECC sent text messages to the relatives and friends of the first three sailors. It estimated that between 2,000 to 3,000 persons were contacted. Chuang said that later that evening, that the CECC would send out a text message notifying the public to beware of the spots where the 24 sailors had spent more than 15 minutes between April 15 and 18. Chuang said that the center would use cell phone signals to track down where the sailors had been and message those who had been at the same locations at the same time. The text message is a general reminder that people should carefully observe their own symptoms. If a person believes they are developing symptoms of the coronavirus, the CECC urges them to call 1922 or seek medication attention directly. The following are some of the locations that the sailors visited between April 15 and 18: Taipei Carrefour Sushi Express Taipei Railway Station Taipei MRT Beitou Station Taoyuan Eslite Bookstore Costco National Taiwan Sport University Taichung Wuri railway station Clinic in Qingshui District Cases resided in Qingshui District, Shaolu District, and Longjing District Yunlin Yunlin HSR station Chiayi Chiayi HSR station Chien Yen Hot Pot Restaurant on Chuiyang Road Keelung Kuo-kuang Motor Transport Keelung Station Kaohsiung Café del SOL Ruifeng Night Market E-Da Outlet Mall Carrefour Dingshan Costco Dashun Sihwei Badminton Courts Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Xiaogang Post Office Sweet Veggie Restaurant in Sanmin District Zuoying HSR Station Pingtung Ping Tung Sports Center Fitness Factory Global Mall (Data source:Taiwan News)  

Due to the impact that COVID-19 border control measures and flight bans have had on foreign visitors to Taiwan, MOFA announced an automatic 30-day duration of stay period extension on March 21, 2020. In consideration of increased travel restrictions worldwide, MOFA announces that all travelers who entered Taiwan on or before March 21, 2020, on a visitor visa, a landing visa, or through a visa-waiver program and who have not overstayed their legal stay period will now be granted a second automatic 30-day extension. No application is required. The total period of stay cannot exceed 180 days (The day after entry date will be counted as the first day of stay). These conditions are subject to change and may be adjusted as circumstances require. In addition, the National Immigration Agency (NIA) has announced the Expanded Overstayers Voluntary Departure Program. Foreign nationals who have overstayed their visas and turn themselves in from March 20 to June 30 are entitled to penalty relief measures: They will not be detained or receive an entry ban, and will be given only a minimum fine. For further information, please visit the NIA website at https://www.immigration.gov.tw/. (Date source:Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that no additional cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were confirmed in Taiwan on April 16. The CECC reported that 962 additional cases related to COVID-19 were reported on April 15. As of writing, a cumulative total of 50,703 cases have been reported among which COVID-19 has been ruled out in 47,407. Of these reported cases, infection with COVID-19 was laboratory-confirmed in 395 cases. Of 395 confirmed cases in Taiwan, 340 are imported and 55 are indigenous. Of the confirmed cases, there have been 6 deaths, and 155 patients have been released from isolation while the remainder remains hospitalized in isolation. (Data source:Taiwan Centers for Disease Control)

On April 14, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that beginning 00:00 Taipei Standard Time on April 18, inbound travelers who have visited Europe and the Americas in the last 14 days (starting 00:00 Taipei Standard Time on April 4) should voluntarily present documents for home quarantine requirements before boarding. Such inbound travelers should stay at the hotels which provide rooms for individuals subject to home quarantine/isolation after entry if they live with people who are 65 years old or older, children 6 years old or under, persons with chronic disease (such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes or lung disease), or persons who don’t have a separate room (including a separate bathroom). Furthermore, those who make a false health declaration will be fined up to NT$150,000. (Data source:Taiwan Centers for Disease Control)  

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced on April 14 that a trial run of the online ordering of 3D child-size face masks will begin from April 15 until April 17. The online ordering system, eMask, will automatically verify the NHI card data, and online order registration will be allowed for people 16 or under. A 3D face mask for children is less than 8 (length) x 12 (width) cm when folded in half. Please confirm the size of a children’s face mask before purchasing one. Additionally, the restriction on the age of persons who can buy child-size face masks will be reinstated starting April 23, allowing only persons 16 or under to buy children’s masks by using their NHI cards.   (Data source:Taiwan Centers for Disease Control)

First time in 36 days, Taiwan reports no new cases of Wuhan coronavirus TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) on Tuesday (April 14) announced that for the first time in 36 days there are no new cases of Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) to report. During his daily press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Health Minister and CECC head Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) announced there were zero new coronavirus cases detected in the country that day. Chen said the last time Taiwan had reported zero new cases was March 9, meaning that Taiwan had gone 36 days with at least one coronavirus case. The vast majority of cases reported over this period were imported from other countries as Taiwanese citizens fled from hotspots in Europe, Asia, and North America. There were fears these imported cases would bring a second wave of domestic infections to the country. Out of Taiwan's total count of 393 cases, 338 were imported from abroad, while 55 were contracted locally. Of the confirmed cases, six have succumbed to the disease, while 124 have been released from hospital isolation. Fortunately, it appears the CECC's efforts at quickly identifying, isolating, and tracing contacts of confirmed cases have held the virus at bay, for now. In other good news, Chen said all 214 Taiwan citizens who were evacuated from Hubei province via charter plane on March 30 were released on Tuesday from home isolation and have begun self-health management. (Data Source:Taiwan News)