Translated by Government Information Office
President Chen Shui-bian convened a high-level national security meeting on SARS this morning at the presidential office. The president was briefed on the disease situation of the epidemic control and the measures taken by various government agencies. He announced five decisions concerning epidemic control, public morale, industry and the economy, trade and economic ties between Taiwan and China, and international cooperation.
1. Epidemic prevention efforts: The mobilization of medical resources and the allocation of medical personnel are now beginning to run on the right track. However, compulsory home quarantine and the prevention of community transmission require governments at all levels to work out together an effective mechanism as quickly as possible and to close all loopholes in their efforts. With respect to the exercise of government authority, especially the framework for government management, control, and response, we can consider establishing an All-people SARS Control Committee to be convened jointly by Premier Yu Shyi-kun and President Lee Yuan-tseh of Academia Sinica. The central and local governments must cooperate closely to thoroughly implement these efforts and eliminate irrational conflicts. The Department of Health and the National Health Research Institutes are in the process of establishing standard operating procedures to handle SARS. I hope they can speed up their efforts to map out comprehensive procedures for governments at all levels and hospitals to follow.
2. Boost to public morale: Faced with a completely new challenge, the nation must remain united. To prevent the epidemic, we would rather do too much than too little. In the meantime, however, we must reduce panic among the public as much as possible. The government should take the initiative to provide in a responsible manner transparent reports about any new developments related to the epidemic. These reports should be made at least twice a day. Specific units and staff should be designated to provide information and communicate with foreign embassies and missions in Taiwan, so as to eliminate unnecessary doubts and worries. The government should also strengthen public education on epidemic prevention through appropriate channels and mechanisms. In addition, I hope the industrial, government, and academic communities can devote all possible efforts to SARS research to expand the capacity and efficiency of quarantine measures, increase the effectiveness of medical treatment, and improve the recovery rate so as to effectively calm public fear and restore confidence.
3. Financial and industrial stability: We must pay close attention to macroeconomic indicators such as the stock market, foreign exchange market, interest rates, and employment, and be ready to respond quickly and effectively. Even more, we must formulate plans for subsidies and assistance to help those industries most seriously affected by SARS, like tourism, transportation, and entertainment. At the same time, we have to make plans to offer assistance and relief to people whose livelihoods have suffered as a result of SARS. In addition to helping various industries and the public ride out the current difficulties, we should also propose more active economic counterstrategies, such as further expanding investment in public construction as a means of achieving long-term economic recovery.
4. Taiwan-China economic and trade exchanges: SARS is an imported disease. Therefore, entry and exit regulations represent the frontline of epidemic prevention and are the key to success. The government has adopted strict epidemic controls for people coming from the WHO-listed SARS-affected areas, including China and Hong Kong. This is an unavoidable measure for curbing the spread of SARS. However, given the severe impact of SARS on Asian economies and the need to ensure Taiwan's competitive edge in the Asia-Pacific region, the government must move quickly to seriously evaluate the progression plan for expediting cross-strait cargo shipments. As for the personal safety and medical treatment of Taiwan businesspeople in China and the relocation of their employees and businesses to Taiwan, the appropriate agencies should provide prompt assistance as well as formulate companion measures for industrial guidance.
5. International cooperation on epidemic prevention: Like medical treatment, epidemic prevention knows no national boundaries. The global spread of SARS once again proves the urgency of Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization. The prevention and treatment of SARS has become the primary task of the global health system. A succession of medical techniques and standard procedures for epidemic prevention will be developed. Taiwan must connect with the rest of the world in order to enhance our ability to protect public health. To date, the Department of Health and the National Science Council have collected US$1 million to establish the Urbani Research Fund to invest in SARS-related research, demonstrating Taiwan's willingness to do its share and contribute to international health and medical care. In the meantime, Taiwan should also strengthen cooperation with Hong Kong, China, and other countries on epidemic prevention efforts and work to quickly free the entire region from the shadow of SARS.