Health officials launched a new online application system on Monday for reissuing COVID isolation notices to people with the virus. The notices are important for infected people to get COVID sick leave and other benefits.
Taiwan has recorded over one million COVID cases during its current outbreak. But many who have been infected have been unable to get official isolation notices.
On Monday, officials released an online application for reissuing isolation notices. The notices are important because many employers ask for them before granting COVID sick leave.
Taiwan’s digital minister, Audrey Tang, says the new application process can be completed on smartphones or computers within minutes.
The application system is open to anyone who was diagnosed after May 1 and did not receive their notice. That includes about 500,000 people.
Tang says the system is also open to anyone who has not received their official notice within three days of being diagnosed. Official figures show that 45% of those diagnosed with COVID don’t get their notices.
Since the system was opened at midnight on Monday, more than 7,000 people have already submitted their application.
But many people have concerns about the system’s accessibility. One woman says she fears older people who are unfamiliar with technology will find it difficult to use.
Government spokesperson Chuang Jen-Hsiang says anyone who has problems using the application can go to their local government office for assistance.
Authorities say next, they will add an isolation notice reissuing system for COVID close contacts.