President Tsai reaffirms Taiwan’s commitment to combating coronavirus

2020/02/03

President Tsai Ing-wen said Jan. 30 that the government is taking all requisite steps to minimize the risk of an outbreak of pneumonia caused by the Wuhan coronavirus while mulling measures aimed at offsetting any impact on the economy.
 
 Central and local governments are coordinating related efforts and providing the public with the latest information, Tsai said. This is complemented by provisions ensuring the stable supply of medical supplies and surgical masks, as well as tightened health screening of arrivals from China, she added.
 
 Tsai made the remarks during a special news conference at the Presidential Office following a national security meeting earlier the same day.
 
 According to Tsai, the limited number of confirmed cases in Taiwan is testament to medical personnel and public sector officials who remained on duty during the Lunar New Year vacation. The dedication and efforts of these individuals are sincerely appreciated, she said.
 
 As part of the government’s strategy for handling the global crisis, Tsai said, all relevant agencies and ministries are devising responses to maintain orderly economic activity. These include assisting affected industries with support measures such as partial subsidies, as well as stabilizing the foreign exchange and stock markets, she added.
 
 The Cabinet is also assessing the need for special budgets and laws to help disease-fighting efforts, Tsai said, adding that the Ministry of Economic Affairs is liaising with the public and private sectors to keep investment on track and adjusting industry output in line with global conditions.
 
 At the same time, Tsai said, the government is in close communication with all relevant parties to make sure ROC (Taiwan) nationals in Wuhan receive proper care and are repatriated as soon as possible.
 
 Tsai also took the opportunity to thank Canada, Japan, the U.S. and other like-minded partners for publicly supporting the country’s meaningful participation in the World Health Organization.
 
 As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan is ready, willing and able to contribute to strengthening global epidemic prevention, Tsai said. The WHO must not exclude the country on political grounds, she added.
 
 Nine cases of the new coronavirus were confirmed in Taiwan as of Jan. 31 by Central Epidemic Command Center under the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Centers for Disease Control. A total of 9,692 cases have been identified in China, with 110 reported in 20 other countries and territories.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)