Premier Su Tseng-chang on Thursday received a Ministry of Health and Welfare briefing on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health measures. The global pandemic situation remains severe and domestic cases have recently risen, but Taiwan's vaccine coverage is high and medical treatment supplies remain plentiful. The premier thus advised caution but not fear, and encouraged the people to continue diligently abiding by COVID-19 prevention guidelines. The premier also called for improved vaccination rates among the elderly population and increased booster dose coverage among the general population.
The premier emphasized that Taiwan's COVID response balances pandemic safety with sustaining economic growth and livelihoods. In recent days, the number of domestic cases have seen an increase and imported cases have also continued to rise. However, comparing with countries nearby and internationally, the overall scale of the pandemic situation in Taiwan is quite small. This is a cost that must be paid if we are to maintain economic growth and livelihoods with a steady lifting of restrictions. Despite the need for caution, the premier said, there is no need for fear.
Following the recent spate of cluster infections, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced Monday that certain types of leisure and entertainment venues will be subject to enhanced rules, such as mandating employees and patrons to be vaccinated, asking customers to follow protocols, monitoring employees' health and requiring employees to be tested on a regular basis. Also, starting March 7, home isolation and quarantine for travelers to Taiwan have been shortened to 10 days, followed by seven days of self-health management. The premier asked agencies to raise public awareness that those undergoing self-health management must report their rapid test results to authorities.
The Tomb Sweeping holiday weekend will arrive in two more days, and the CECC has outlined COVID prevention measures for tomb sweeping activities. The premier also asked the CECC to employ publicity campaigns and incentive measures to raise vaccination rates among the elderly and encourage the entire population to get their booster shots.