Guarding Against MERS Outbreak in Taiwan: All Airports and Airlines on High Alert

▲ All airports in Taiwan have stepped up temperature monitoring and disinfection efforts to prevent the spread of MERS. (Photo / Provided by the CDC)

Reported by Chen Ruizhong / Taipei

The MERS outbreak in South Korea has prompted an upgrade in the travel alert from yellow for Seoul to a yellow alert for the entire country. To prevent the spread of the MERS outbreak from South Korea to Taiwan, major entry points across the country have tightened checks on inbound travelers.Taoyuan Airporthas implemented centralized management and enhanced quarantine measures for all flights arriving from South Korea since June 10.Taichung Chingchuankang Airporthas also arranged for nearby hospitals to be on standby.Kaohsiung Airportcontinues to use fever screening stations to monitor the health of incoming passengers.

Currently, about 14 flights arrive daily at Taoyuan Airport from South Korea, carrying over 2,000 passengers. Starting June 10, inbound flights will enter through six boarding gates in a centralized area closest to the fever screening station, facilitating closer temperature monitoring and reducing the walking distance upon entry to minimize contact with other individuals.

Additionally, as Taoyuan Airport is the main entry point for South Korean travelers visiting Taiwan, the National Immigration Agency has introduced a “333” policy consisting of three scenarios, three response scripts, and three defense lines for MERS. A large-scale temperature screening machine has also been installed in the arrival hall to monitor passenger health.

The Immigration Agency stated that if a person suspected of having had contact with an infected patient is reported to be entering Taiwan, CDC epidemic prevention officers will conduct onboard quarantine checks upon landing and transport the contact to a designated hospital. If the contact is intercepted by immigration officers at the airport, epidemic prevention officers will be notified immediately. If the contact is not intercepted, epidemic prevention officers will inform the hospital.

To reduce the risk of transmission, all major airports have also strengthened temperature checks and disinfection efforts. EvenTainan Airport,which does not have direct flights from South Korea, has arranged infrared thermal imaging screenings for incoming passengers and enhanced disinfection procedures to ensure traveler safety. In addition, airlines such as China Airlines, EVA Air, and Asiana have increased disinfection measures on Taiwan–South Korea flights and stocked additional face masks onboard to protect public health from potential MERS threats.