Taiwan’s courts are adjusting their operations in order to comply with disease prevention measures set forth by the Central Epidemic Command Center .
The center raised Taiwan’s COVID-19 alertness level to Level 2 on Tuesday. However, Health Minister Chen Shih-chung says that Taiwan’s alertness level may rise to Level 3 in the coming days. Under a Level 3 alert, indoor gatherings of more than five people are forbidden.
In response to the sudden changes, the deputy secretary-general of Taiwan’s judicial branch, Yeh Li-hsia, says that her organization stands ready to comply with regulations.Yeh says that courtroom proceedings will definitely involve more than five people. She says that if Taiwan does reach a Level 3 alert, then courts may suspend hearings entirely or conduct trials via videoconference.
Justice Minister Tsai Ching-hsiang says that he has ordered all ministerial agencies to adhere to strict disease prevention measures, particularly at correctional institutions. He says that prosecutors may question witnesses and suspects via videoconference as well.