"Empty Shelves... Could It Not Be Calmed?"... Infection Fear Sweeping Taiwan, a 'Model Country' in Quarantine Measures

Photo by Facebook page '爆怨2公社'

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Seoyoung] Health authorities in Taiwan, once regarded as a model country for COVID-19 prevention, are on high alert as the number of patients due to community transmission surges.

According to local Taiwanese media on the 16th, Taiwan's health authorities announced that 206 new cases of community transmission of COVID-19 have been added. Until the 14th, the daily confirmed cases remained at 29, but suddenly surged nearly sixfold. This number represents the largest daily increase in new cases in Taiwan.

On the 15th, Taiwan's Executive Yuan and health authorities raised the epidemic alert level to Level 3 in northern Taipei City and New Taipei City until the 28th of this month, as the number of COVID-19 patients from community transmission increased to 180. Under the Level 3 epidemic alert, wearing masks outdoors is mandatory, private gatherings of more than five people indoors and more than ten people outdoors, as well as religious events, are prohibited. Additionally, cinemas, museums, amusement parks, and other venues are closed, and access by outsiders to schools is restricted.

A shelf with disinfectant products, limited to one per person, is empty. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Taiwan has been regarded as a model country in terms of COVID-19 prevention. From the early stages of the outbreak, Taiwan conducted strict inspections on people entering from Wuhan. Furthermore, as soon as the first confirmed case appeared, Taiwan immediately blocked entry from China, conducted thorough testing of its citizens, and implemented lockdown measures such as banning the export of masks. Taiwan's response has been highly praised, especially considering that it achieved these results while being excluded from the World Health Organization (WHO) due to China's adherence to the 'One China' principle.

However, sudden control measures led to panic buying among the public. People, fearing the spread of COVID-19, flocked to various stores. Pharmacies saw a significant increase in purchases of masks and hand sanitizers. Supermarkets experienced shortages of essential goods such as toilet paper and ramen, prompting Taiwan's supermarket chain Carrefour to announce purchase limits on masks and ramen.

As public anxiety grew, the Taiwanese government sought to clarify the situation, stating that the measures are "movement controls, not city lockdowns." President Tsai Ing-wen and Premier Su Tseng-chang posted on their Facebook pages urging, "There is no need to hoard daily necessities," and "Taiwan has sufficient supplies of epidemic prevention materials and food due to preparations over the past year." Some Taiwanese netizens also shared photos of empty shelves on social media, criticizing the situation by asking, "Can't people calm down?"