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Taiwan to cut Covid-19 quarantine for arrivals to 3 days
By ECCT staff writers, CNA, Courtesy of ICRT
The mandatory quarantine for arriving passengers to Taiwan will be cut from seven days to three, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC). Under the new plan, arriving passengers in Taiwan will take a saliva test at the airport, and begin their three-day isolation period the following day.
Following the three-day quarantine, they will have to observe disease prevention protocols for another four days, during which people are encouraged to not go out unless necessary.Those who want to go to work or buy food or other necessities can do so during the four-day period if they have tested negative using a rapid antigen test at home the same day or the previous day.
This comes as the CECC reported 45,110 new coronavirus cases on Monday. Of that number, 45,081 are domestic infections. Kaohsiung reported the highest number ofcaseswith 7,184, followed by Taichung with 6,694 and New Taipei with 5,470 cases.
Health officials say 146 previously reported cases have since developed into severe infections, while 232 other infected individuals are now displaying moderate symptoms of the disease. 109 new coronavirus-related deaths were reported. The individuals who passed away ranged in age from their 40s to their 90s. They included 105 who had chronic illnesses or other severe diseases, and 44 who were unvaccinated.It brings the number of confirmed coronavirus-related fatalities here in Taiwan since the pandemic began to 4,280.The CECC also reported one new imported coronavirus infection caused by the BA.4 Omicron subvariant and four imported cases of the BA.5 subvariant. It was the first time the two have been detected here in Taiwan.
In other news, health minister Chen Shih-chung has tested positive for the coronavirus. The CECC says Chen began experiencing symptoms on Sunday morning, and took a rapid test, which came back positive.
Health officials say Chen was confirmed as a coronavirus case after a telemedicine appointment and is now in isolation at home. Chen says he's in good condition and feeling fine.
Top health officials who have been in contact with Chen in the past few days, including epidemic command center spokesman Zhuang Ren-xiang and Centers for Disease Control head Zhou Zhi-hao. Both have all tested negative after taking rapid tests. Other health officials have not shown any symptoms so far, but are continuing to monitor their health.
Epidemic command center deputy head Chen Tsung-yen has temporarily been promoted, but the health minister is continuing to participate in disease prevention work remotely.
