By / Scenic Spots Home Fresh (compiled and reported)
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Egypt has risen rapidly. Given the swift development of the pandemic in several other countries and the local social and medical conditions that are not conducive to controlling the outbreak, our country has once again raised the travel alert level for Egypt. Additionally, on the 15th, a new domestic case involved a high school student who returned to Taiwan on the 5th and tested positive on the 15th. The contact history during this period has also caused public concern. The entire class of this high school student has been ordered to suspend classes for 14 days. On the 16th, New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih announced that teachers and students will not be allowed to travel abroad before the end of June, unless under special exceptions, and travel is prohibited.
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A major outbreak of COVID-19 may occur in Egypt. (Photo / Pexels - David McEachan)
The number of COVID-19 (Wuhan pneumonia) cases in Egypt has rapidly increased recently. As of now, the number of confirmed cases has reached 109, with 42 new cases in a single day. There is also a possibility of insufficient testing capacity and an underestimation of the number of cases. Multiple countries including Taiwan, the United States, Japan, France, as well as Hong Kong, have reported numerous cases with a travel history to Egypt. Among them, several large cluster infections have occurred on the famous Nile River cruise ships, leading to Taiwan, the United States, Japan, and others reporting over 20 cases of travelers falling ill after returning from Egypt. In addition, neighboring countries such as Qatar and Kuwait have announced entry management measures for Egyptian nationals. Furthermore, the country has many European visitors, yet no relevant entry controls or quarantine measures have been implemented for them. Given the infection risk for our citizens traveling there, the Central Epidemic Command Center
The Command Center announced that in response to the evolving international COVID-19 situation, travel advisories for Mainland China (including Hong Kong and Macau), South Korea, Iran, and Italy have been elevated to Level 3: Warning, advising against all non-essential travel to these areas. Additionally, starting from March 17, the 27 countries of the Schengen Area (France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Greece, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein) as well as the United Kingdom and Ireland (which have free movement with the Schengen Zone), along with Dubai (including transit through Dubai), will also be raised to Level 3. Travelers who depart for these destinations or transit through them after 14:00 Taiwan Time on March 14 will be subject to a 14-day home quarantine upon return.
The Command Center further stated that Japan, Singapore, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Kuwait, the United States (Washington State, New York State, and California), Egypt, and 11 European countries (France, Germany, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland — which will be upgraded to Level 3 on the 17th) are currently classified as Level 2: Alert, where enhanced protective measures are advised for those traveling there. All other countries and regions not listed under Level 2 or Level 3 are classified as Level 1: Watch, where the public should follow general local preventive measures. The Command Center will closely monitor the pandemic developments and adjust travel advisory scopes accordingly.
New Taipei City Government has also taken the lead in responding to the outbreak by prohibiting all public and private school teachers, students, and staff below the high school level within its jurisdiction from traveling abroad. Exceptions require approval and strict reporting.
High school student diagnosed with COVID-19 after Greece trip; entire class suspended for 14 days
https://www.mook.com.tw/article.php?op=articleinfo&articleid=23486