To respond to the expanded infections at the Taoyuan General Hospital, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Mayor of Taichung City, Lu Shiow-Yen today (20th) convened pandemic prevention and control meeting again in the afternoon. She reminded the public that at present various large gathering events are canceled, as cluster infection risks are still concerns during the Chinese Lunar New Year. Preventive measures must be taken including sites where crowds gather such as traditional markets, malls, temples, traffic stations and famous scenic sites. Authority agencies shall increase disinfection frequency and adopt preventive measures. The public is being asked to wear face masks.
The Central Government, yesterday, announced the cancellation of the 2021 Taiwan Lantern Festival to avoid clustering risks. Mayor Lu immediately convened the internal emergency meeting to discuss and announced the cancellation of the Central Taiwan Lantern Festival and the Red Envelopes Given Away by the Mayor that are most likely to gather crowds. Mayor Lu also requested each agency to re-examine the organization of large events under priority consideration of pandemic prevention and control. This afternoon Mayor Lu again hosted the internal emergency meeting when each agency reported the organization or cancellation of large events collaborating with pandemic prevention and control.
Mayor Lu reminded the public that even if the large events are now cancelled, during the Chinese Lunar New Year, the public still needs to shop and return home and inevitably, clustering risks are higher. In addition to the preventive measures taken for sites where crowds are likely to gather, during the Chinese Lunar New Year, at temples and scenic sites, the concerned agencies shall utilize real-time image monitoring systems to control traffic flow and prevent the public from the pandemic. Mayor Lu asked for cooperation of citizens of Taichung.
In addition to cancellation and delay of large events announced yesterday, today each agency reported their newest status. The Civil Affairs Bureau coordinated with various temples to cancel Lantern Festival events including the Lecheng Temple in the East District, Xingxiou Temple in South District and Chaoyuan Temple in Wuqi. Fengyuan District also cancelled its Lantern Festival Celebration and Hulutun Music Concert. Furthermore, the Cultural Affairs Bureau cancelled mass greetings and various performances at arts and cultural centers on the 4th and 5th day of the Chinese Lunar New Year and the one scheduled for the 2021 Taichung Mazu Centennial International Tourism and Cultural Festival before the end of March.
The Agricultural Bureau stopped the organization of various celebrations for this year's Farmers Day and the “World Orchid Conference and Exhibition” original scheduled in April was now pending. The Labor Affairs Bureau was evaluating whether or not the job fair scheduled to be held at National Chung Hsing University on March 27th will be convened online and award recognition for outstanding workers on Labor Day, May 1st, was pending for delay or cancellation.
The Department of Health pointed out that the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) today announced the adjusted control and management measures for hospitals and related personnel. Hospitals, long-term care institutions and post- partum nursing homes only allow one visiting interval with the maximum number of two visitors per in-hospital patient who shall be in principle accompanied by one person (including a care giver). They shall wear face masks, have body temperature taken and leave their correct personal information. Visitors were advised to check the visiting time before coming to visit.
According to the Taichung City Government, to respond to the expanded cluster infection at Taoyuan General Hospital, large events including the 2021 Central Taiwan Lantern Festival, Little Red Envelope Given Away by the Mayor for the Chinese Lunar New Year, Dongshi Xin Ding Ban Festival, New Year Goods' Avenue and mass greetings were announced to be cancelled. The 2021ZEPRO RUN in Taichung was likewise postponed.