Government’s New Taiwan Model aims to

relax COVID restrictions despite local surge

(2022/04/03)

In the face of the current surge of local cases, the government

has been presented with a dilemma: to tighten COVID

restrictions to keep case numbers down or gradually relax them

so that people can return to their old way of life and coexist with

the virus. Premier Su Tseng-chang recently introduced his New

Taiwan Model, indicating that the government is leaning toward

the latter to help businesses flourish. Some doctors approve,

provided this does not overburden Taiwan's health system.

The Zhongxiao branch of SOGO Department Store in Taipei

shut its doors on Sunday to be disinfected. An employee had

reportedly fallen ill and tested positive for COVID. As local

case numbers continue to rise, the government is leaning toward

the choice of coexistence with the coronavirus, rather than

working to tighten restrictions. Premier Su Tseng-chang is

trumpeting what he terms a “New Taiwan Model,” a policy for

gradually relaxing COVID restrictions to help businesses stay

afloat.

Su Tseng-chang

Premier

As we gradually shorten the quarantine period, we will

definitely encounter an increase in numbers of confirmed cases.

However, very, very few of these confirmed cases are severe

cases. You can all rest assured that this is the New Taiwan

Model.

Hou Yu-ih

New Taipei mayor

The New Taiwan Model? Most people have no idea what that is.

The central government should state clearly whether it wants to

coexist with the virus or aim for zero cases. The policy has to be

crystal clear.

At the inauguration of a house pets management office under the

Council of Agriculture, President Tsai Ing-wen was asked about

the New Taiwan Model, but she didn’t give a direct response.

She did, however, remind the public to unite in their fight

against the virus.

Tsai Ing-wen

President

There have been new local cases in many counties and cities in

the past few days. In the face of the epidemic, please be vigilant

and do not panic. During the holiday, whether it’s a family trip

or a reunion with relatives and friends, be sure to follow

epidemic precautions thoroughly and remind each other what to

do. Those who have not gotten the third dose of the vaccine,

especially the elderly, have to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Let’s continue to unite and protect Taiwan against the pandemic.

But the fact remains. The number of local cases is still climbing.

Will this New Taiwan Model be feasible? Doctors think that as

long as the health system does not become overburdened,

things should be fine.

Lee Ping-ing

CECC specialist advisory panel

The virus types have been gradually increasing, indicating that

people from outside Taiwan undergoing quarantine are probably

the ones allowing the viruses to enter and that has led to the

current situation. So currently, we have a phenomenon that

we’re bound to witness as we transition toward a complete

lifting of restrictions.

High-risk groups and long-term care institutions need to step up

their epidemic prevention protocols, and anti-viral medicine

should be well stocked. As to whether continued vaccination

should be a criterion for relaxing quarantine measures, doctors

think this deserves careful consideration.

Lee Ping-ing

CECC specialist advisory panel

The main purpose of the vaccine is to prevent severe illness and

death (although transmission is still possible), so what we

should think about is, after the vaccine is administered, when a

person is indeed not at risk of contracting the virus, then we can

have this kind of policy.

The omicron virus is highly contagious. If restrictions are

abruptly loosened, the epidemic may quickly spiral out of

control. The government must tread carefully as it adopts this

new policy.