Mainland spouses' children barred from entry – Minister Chen shows strong stance

By / Scenic Spots Home (compiled and reported)
 
The Mainland Affairs Council had initially announced on the 11th a relaxation of entry restrictions for mainland spouses’ children, which drew strong public backlash. Then at noon yesterday (the 12th), Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung announced the withdrawal of the MAC’s policy on allowing these children to enter. Many netizens, upon hearing the news, rushed to post comments online expressing their support, praising the minister for standing firm against overwhelming opposition.

On the 11th, the MAC issued a statement: “Starting from February 12, 2020, in response to China’s cross-border control measures, mainland spouses and their children from mainland China will be permitted to enter Taiwan based on family reunification and humanitarian considerations, but must undergo 14 days of home quarantine upon arrival.” However, this announcement was met with public and online criticism.
 
At a press conference on the 12th, Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung announced the withdrawal of all entry control measures related to mainland spouses’ children that were released by the MAC. The minister stated that the three key principles of the Central Epidemic Command Center’s epidemic prevention efforts are: no discrimination in medical treatment, uniform management of home quarantine and isolation, and no special management measures based on identity differences.
 
However, there are necessary distinctions in border controls, all of which must adhere to the principle of “putting Taiwanese first.” Therefore, the MAC’s regulations on allowing mainland spouses’ children to enter have been withdrawn.

Minister Chen Shih-chung also stated that mainland spouses’ children have the right to choose their nationality. Since they did not choose Taiwanese nationality at the time, they must now bear the consequences of their choice and make appropriate arrangements.
 
Currently, medical resources in domestic medical centers and related quarantine facilities are being used at about 40%. With the epidemic situation ahead requiring even more caution, any oversight could lead to community transmission, which would pose a major challenge to our testing and prevention capacity.
 
The minister also emphasized that the number of people under home quarantine or isolation will only increase in the future. The public needs to stay vigilant about community-level epidemic prevention. If those under quarantine move around freely, it could become a loophole in our defenses.

 

South Korea advises against travel to Taiwan; failure to fill out health declaration form upon entry can result in fines up to NT$150,000

》https://www.mook.com.tw/article.php?op=articleinfo&articleid=23202