Taiwan

Analysis by country of Taiwan by Rachel Loh

Taiwan's Response

Due to the experience of the 2003 SARS epidemic, Taiwan immediately expected worse, was prepared and immediately expected worse.

Taiwan reacted quickly, beginning in December, where health officials monitored symptoms of arriving passengers and sent 2 doctors to Wuhan. Citizens readily accepted policies. when health officers checked passengers for symptoms before leaving the plane. Taiwan also sent 2 doctors to Wuhan to get more information immediately after learning about the problem.

Use of Information Technology

Taiwan has a strong information technology background, and multiple Databases from the National Health Insurance Administration, the National Immigration Agency, and Customs Administration were integrated and AI and big data techniques were used to analyze data. This allowed the government to identify people who were at greater risk based on travel and medical history. The police also used mobile phone records to track the social contacts of infected people. Their government was also transparent. They had daily televised briefings, and hotlines were created to provide accurate advice to citizens. This communication maintained public confidence, especially in the economy. While there was a sense of global responsibility, however, Taiwan did keep some information away from WHO because of objections from China.

Resource Mobilization

On 1/20, Taiwan activated the CECC, whose purpose was to coordinate among the government and to mobilize resources. A system of rationing masks was implemented to prevent hoarding. Mandatory quarantine was put in place for people who recently travelled to affected parts of the world and self-isolation was recommended for people who had come into contact with potential individuals. On 2/6, Taiwan prohibited entry for people who had been to China or Hong Kong in the past 14 days. As the virus spread, restrictions increased. By 3/19, almost all foreigners could not enter and eventually, everyone who returned abroad had to self-quarantine for 14 days. Civic organizations urged the government to provide amnesty (official pardoning) for illegal immigrants to combat reluctance in coming forward if sick. Now, anybody entering Taiwan must answer a long questionnaire pertaining to symptoms and where they have traveled. Travelers are tracked from their cell phones and the government calls for symptoms for 14 days. If you do not respond, the government goes to your house. If you are sick at the border, you are quarantined.