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Magistrate Feng-Wei Lai Directs Nanhai Star and Guangjheng No. 6 to Suspend Kaohsiung Services as Part of Sea Quarantine Measures
Penghu County Government 2020-03-02 268
    At the quarantine conference on March 2, Penghu County Magistrate Feng-wei Lai said that the number of people under mandatory self-quarantine after returning to Penghu from high-risk countries has declined. Quarantine efforts will now focus on preventing the epidemic from spreading into Penghu by sea. Lai has therefore ordered the Nanhai Star to suspend ferry services to Kaohsiung. Tourism Department was also directed to liaise with the owner of Guangjheng No. 6 to also suspend services to Kaohsiung for the duration of the epidemic.

    A surge in travelers returning to Penghu is expected for the Tomb Sweeping Holiday. Lai therefore called upon all expatriates to delay their return if they have symptoms such as fever and coughing until after they have made a full recovery. By helping to contain the epidemic they will keep themselves and other people safe as well.

    Lai noted that the quarantine measures are now entering phase 2. Protective measures have now been upgraded at the airport and harbor on Magong. Close attention will now be paid to the quarantine measures for the Kaohsiung to Cimei and Wang-an routes, and the Tainan to Dongji route to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

    According to Lai, Nanhai Star No. 1 and No. 2 are tasked with providing the residents of South Sea with transportation and narrowing the urban-rural divide. Extending Nanhai Star’s route to Kaohsiung Port not only increased the risk of transportation disruptions due to hull/mechanical damage but also increased the risk of the coronavirus entering Penghu from Kaohsiung. The Public Transport Management Office was therefore ordered to suspend Nanhai Star services to Kaohsiung while the Tourism Department was directed to liaise with Guangjheng No.6 to suspend services to Kaohsiung as well. Nothing must be left to chance.

    Lai said that County Government’s efforts to keep the islands free of the coronavirus included the installation of IR thermal scanners at the airport, home quarantine check-in stations, expulsion of Chinese-flagged shipping, targeting of illegal transactions at sea, setting up a quarantine education team for migrant fishing boat workers, requiring Chinese sand and cargo ships to check their rat guards, and setting up quarantine lanes at Magong Harbor to prepare for all the visitors expected from Budai ferry during the tourist season.

    As the coronavirus is spread mainly through airborne and contact transmission, Lai recommended avoiding crowds and the need to step up disinfection of public transport. He has already directed the Public Transport Management Office to disinfect buses and ferries every day. People are also reminded to wear face masks to ensure their own safety and that of the general public.

    Lai said that the “novel coronavirus” can hide and disguise itself. A patient’s tests came back negative 8 times and only returned a positive on the 9th test. There are also asymptomatic patients and relapses as well. Everyone must stay on their guard to keep the epidemic out.
Update:2020-05-12
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