• Location:臺灣
• Date: 2023/06/21
• Update Date:2023/06/21
• Clicks:36

As the COVID-19 pandemic has recently intensified, medical institutions and medical laboratories are high-risk sites for infection, and caregivers at institutions for the elderly are vulnerable to severe complications or death following infection. In order to protect the health of the general public and institution staff, medical institutions, medical laboratories, general nursing homes, and elderly welfare institutions will continue to be listed as venues where masks are required as of May 31, 2023, while the penalties will remain the same. For other long-term care facilities, veterans homes, child and juvenile service institutions, disability welfare institutions, and ambulances, the rule is changed to “wearing a face mask is recommended.” Following modifications, the following rules shall apply:     

1. Masks must be worn at all times in all indoor areas of the following venues, as required by law.

(1) Medical institutions: hospitals, clinics, and medical instituions.

(2) Medical institutions: pharmacies, medical laboratories, medical radiation facilities, physical therapy facilities, occupational therapy facilities, midwifery facilities, psychiatric rehabilitation institutions, home nursing care institutions, home respiratory facilities, nursing homes.

(3) Elderly welfare institutions: long-term care institutions, nursing institutions, other elderly welfare institutions.

Exceptions to the aforementioned locations where masks are not required include eating, photographing, undergoing examinations or therapies, or engaging in activities where a face mask would be inappropriate or impossible to wear.

2. In exceptional circumstances, it is recommended that a face mask be worn, unless the originally listed situations must be maintained: in the event of a fever or respiratory syndrome, the elderly or those with a weakened immune system should avoid crowded places or places with poor ventilation; those having close contact with the elderly or those with a weakened immune system (especially those without full vaccination), with the exception of public transportation and specific vehicles (rehabuses, school buses, kindergarten vehicles, campus shuttle buses). Include “wearing a face mask is advised” for “taking an ambulance” and “accessing a long-term service institution, veterans home, child and juvenile service institution, disability welfare institution, and other venues with a high risk of infection.”

3. The public is free to choose whether or not to wear a face mask in other indoor venues and spaces.

4. The measures outlined above are general regulations. Relevant information must be handled in accordance with the regulations of the competent authorities.

Taking into account institutional residents whose recent positive test rates are between 1.4% and 1.6% and the fact that accommodation-type institutions provide care to more elders with chronic illnesses and a high risk of critical diseases, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (TCDC) added that vigilance is required to avoid the risk of cluster infections in institutions. Therefore, general nursing homes and elderly welfare institutions’ periodic implementation measures regarding government-sponsored COVID-19 rapid tests have been extended: the rapid test frequency of once a week has been maintained for service targets until June 30 of this year; when symptoms appear for service targets, a rapid test is also administered. For cases that have tested positive and require treatment with oral anti-viral drugs, specialized medical institutions should be contacted immediately to offer diagnosis and treatment, as well as assist in directing cases through isolation or treatment based on pertinent guidelines. Staff exhibiting symptoms will undergo a rapid test. In addition, if the institution deems it necessary (due to a history of contact, clustering, etc.), the government may provide staff with at-home rapid tests. Residents or staff with a confirmed diagnosis and sustained recovery are exempt from a rapid test for three months. The frequency of rapid tests is subject to adjustment depending on the pandemic situation. The government-sponsored reagents will be sent to the aforementioned institutions in succession for use.

The TCDC emphasizes that, once pandemic prevention returns to normal, the confirmed diagnosis (complications) notification trends, medical resource utilization status, the number of oral anti-viral drugs issued, variant monitoring, and other multiple indicators will be used to comprehend pandemic shifts. The public is also reminded to continue complying with face mask regulations and recommendations, implement frequent handwashing with soap, cough etiquette, and other good personal hygiene practices to protect themselves and others, thereby contributing to the maintenance of domestic community safety.