Holidaymakers crowded a number of scenic spots in Taiwan during the four-day Tomb Sweeping weekend. Some worry about the increased risk of spreading COVID-19. On April 6, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) urged that those who visited these crowded scenic spots should practice self-health management for 14 days.
The Tainan City Government, in line with central government measures, is working hard to contain the coronavirus outbreak. The city government has started to survey the travel records of all government employees as well as staff members and students in schools. City employees who visited the scenic spots, including the 11 sites, must wear masks during work and practice self-health management. Schools of all grades must also obtain a thorough understanding of the travel records of both the teachers and students.
The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) sent national warning text messages through the Public Warning Cell Broadcast System on April 4 to urge people to avoid crowded scenic areas. The 11 scenic sites are the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area; Dongdamen Night Market in Hualien County; Wenhua Road in Chiayi City; Bade Pond Ecological Park in Taoyuan; Singda Harbor and Chishan Old Street in Kaohsiung; Chaotian Temple in Yunlin County's Beigang Township; Guanzihling, Hutoupi, and the Wushantou Reservoir and Wusanto Huching Resort Hotel in Tainan; and areas south of Nanzhou Township in Pingtung County, including Kenting National Park.
Right before the end of the holiday, the city government already instructed employees who had visited crowded scenic sites (including tomb sweeping areas, religious places, night markets or sites of congregation) to strictly abide by the following protective measures:
- Practice self-health management for 14 days and record body temperature twice daily.
- Wear masks in office areas and when taking public transportation.
- Avoid unnecessary outings, meetings, work travels, and human contacts; refrain from going to crowded public places.
- Seek immediate medical attention at Health Bureaus if experiencing any symptoms (fever, upper respiratory track symptoms, a loss of taste and smell, diarrhea of unknown cause), and stop working or going to school.
- Practice social distancing by keeping a distance from others of at least 1.5 meters in indoor environments and 1 meter in outdoor areas.
As for local schools, Tainan City’s Bureau of Education released guidelines concerning epidemic prevention and control on April 1. These guidelines offered health and hygiene education for school staff and requested school-wide disinfection by the time school starts. All personnel should avoid close contact with people who are at risk and refrain from visiting crowded areas. No international travels are allowed unless under permission. Once school starts, detailed holiday travel records must be obtained. Schools must also urge its members to practice effective health and hygiene measures, including regular hand-washing, self-health management, maintaining good indoor ventilation, and staying home if sick. Schools must step up protective efforts and not be complacent during the holidays.