By / ScenicSpot.com Fresh News Compilation
Due to the outbreak of Wuhan pneumonia in mainland China, the Tourism Bureau has announced a ban on outbound group tours to China; Taiwan reported one new confirmed case on the 25th, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to three.
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Please wear a mask in public places to avoid droplet infection. (Photo / cheriechang1217)
In response to the escalating "Severe Pneumonia with Novel Pathogens" outbreak in the Wuhan region of mainland China, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) under the Ministry of Health and Welfare has raised the epidemic prevention level to the second tier. The Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism has announced the suspension of group travel operations and implemented crowd control measures in multiple cities. To effectively contain the outbreak, the Tourism Bureau has asked the travel industry to suspend receiving inbound mainland Chinese tourist groups. Additionally, from midnight on January 25 to January 31, the Tourism Bureau has requested that the travel industry suspend organizing tours to mainland China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) to safeguard the safety and rights
Starting from the 24th, a mechanism has been launched at airports and ports to distribute the "Health Declaration Card for Incoming Passengers to Prevent Pneumonia Caused by the Novel Coronavirus" specifically targeting travelers from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. The active care mechanism for travelers from these regions continues in full force to safeguard domestic epidemic prevention and safety.
The three confirmed cases are currently undergoing treatment in negative-pressure isolation wards in hospitals. Among the 46 contacts of the first confirmed case, one contact developed a fever and sought medical attention. For the other two confirmed cases, 102 close contacts have been identified so far, and investigations and monitoring of the contacts are ongoing, with no other abnormalities reported.
The Center for Disease Control urged that since Case 2, announced on the 24th, was present at the Jin Paris Dance Hall (store sign: 金芭黎) in Lingya District, Kaohsiung, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on January 22nd without wearing a mask throughout the visit, anyone who was at that location during that time period should promptly call the toll-free epidemic prevention hotline 1922 (or 0800-001922) for assistance in contacting health authorities.
According to data released by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, as of January 24th, there were a total of 1,287 confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus in mainland China, including 237 severe cases and 41 deaths. Among the 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions (excluding the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions), 30 have reported confirmed or suspected cases. A total of 15,197 close contacts have been identified, with 13,967 still under monitoring. Currently, only the Tibet Autonomous Region has no confirmed or suspected cases. Cases continue to emerge across all provinces in mainland China, with a particularly sharp increase in other cities and counties in Hubei Province.
The WHO has stated that the virus is capable of human-to-human transmission, increasing the risk of infection. On the 25th, the command center expanded the Level 3 Warning (Warning) for travel-related epidemic risks to include Hubei Province (including Wuhan), advising the public to avoid all non-essential travel to the area. Other provinces and cities in mainland China have been raised to Level 2 Alert (Alert), where enhanced protective measures should be taken when visiting. A total of 31 confirmed cases have been reported in 12 other countries and regions, four more than the previous day, including Malaysia, Australia, Nepal, and France. Thailand and Hong Kong each have 5 cases, Singapore, Malaysia, and France each have 3, Japan, South Korea, Macau, Vietnam, and the United States each have 2, while Nepal and Australia each have 1.
During the Spring Festival period, amid the outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia in mainland China, the general public should develop habits such as taking their temperature regularly, washing hands frequently with soap, reducing touching of the eyes, nose, and mouth, and avoiding crowded public places as much as possible.
Those experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath should stay home and rest, avoid going to public areas, and if medical attention or handling important matters requires going out, they must wear a mask, wash hands frequently with soap, and properly dispose of respiratory secretions.
If travelers experience discomfort such as fever or cough upon entry, they should proactively inform quarantine officers at airports and ports. Within 14 days of returning to the country, if any of the aforementioned suspected symptoms occur, individuals can call the toll-free epidemic prevention hotline 1922 (or 0800-001922) and follow instructions to wear a mask and seek medical attention promptly. When seeking medical care, inform the doctor of your travel history, occupation, history of contact, and whether there was any group exposure (TOCC) to facilitate timely diagnosis and reporting.
Travelers and travel agencies encountering unresolved consumer disputes over contract cancellations and refunds may submit relevant receipts and contracts in writing to the Travel Quality Assurance Association or the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation to file a complaint. For tourism consultations, you can call the Travel Quality Assurance Association complaint hotline at 02-25995088 or the Tourism Bureau’s toll-free line at 0800-211734.
Within 14 days of returning to the country, if any of the aforementioned symptoms occur, wear a mask and seek medical attention promptly, and inform the doctor of your travel history, occupation, history of contact, and whether there was any group exposure. For related information, please refer to the CDC website or call the toll-free epidemic prevention hotline 1922 (or 0800-001922).