Premier Su Tseng-chang says that Taiwan needs to act as one and follow the Central Epidemic Command Center’s lead in fighting COVID-19. His words on Monday come after authorities on the outlying islands of Kinmen tried to require all arriving air passengers to present a negative COVID test upon arrival.
On Sunday, Kinmen County officials announced that all visitors from the main island of Taiwan would need to present a negative test taken within three days of arrival. The outlying county is yet to record a domestic case of COVID-19. Under the proposed system, anyone arriving without a negative test result would need to submit to a rapid test at the airport. That arrangement was due to begin on Monday.
But the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) invalidated the plan on Monday. It says the Kinmen County government’s unilateral decision violates Article 37 of the Communicable Disease Control Act. That law stipulates that local authorities have to make decisions in accordance with the CECC’s instructions.
At the national pandemic meeting on Monday, Kinmen authorities defended their decision. But CECC Deputy Commander Chen Tsung-yen says the command center’s decision to cancel the measures still stands. He says the country’s pandemic prevention strategy needs “consistent steps, standards and statements”.
Cabinet spokesperson Lo Ping-cheng says Premier Su has asked the CECC to continue holding the daily national meetings and recognize the needs of local governments. He says it is up to the CECC to create a unified policy that satisfies all parties.