COVID-19 Home Quarantine Measures and Achievements in Taiwan

DOI: 10.6524/EB.202402_40(4).0002

Yi-Ya Wang, Chun-Ming Chen^*, Chia-Yu Hsu, Hsiu-Fang Chang, Hui-Rong Liu, Chin-Hui Yang

2024 Vol.40 NO.4

Correspondence Author： Chun-Ming Chen^*

Abstract：

        In December 2019, COVID-19 outbreak occurred in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Due to geographical proximity and frequent cross-strait interactions, Taiwan proactively implemented measures to prevent SARS-CoV-2 from entering the borders. Starting on January 26, 2020, home quarantine measures were introduced for inbound travelers from Hubei. Subsequently, quarantine measures were gradually extended to travelers from other countries based on their epidemic risks. From March 19, 2020, all incoming travelers were required to undergo a 14-day home quarantine to monitor their health and prevent SARS-CoV-2 from spreading into communities. To manage individuals under home quarantine effectively, complementary measures were established, including using smart technology for tracking and support, establishing care centers, and providing quarantine accommodations offering assistance for daily life, psychological support, and medical care. Conducting retrospective testing on previously inbound travelers and testing measures were implemented to enhance health monitoring of individuals under home quarantine and detect cases early. Strict penalties were imposed for violations of quarantine rules. Through various channels, ongoing risk communication was conducted to deepen awareness of epidemic prevention. By the late stage of the pandemic in 2022, quarantine measures were cautiously relaxed to gradually return the public to normal life, balancing socio-economic considerations and epidemic risk management. The experience gained from the COVID-19 response highlighted the importance of home quarantine as a crucial strategy to prevent SARS-CoV-2 from entering the communities. From January 26, 2020, to October 13, 2022, a total of 1,913,445 individuals underwent home quarantine, with 31,400 confirmed cases identified. Through collaborative efforts of the public and private sectors and the concerted implementation of epidemic prevention measures, the pandemic's impact was minimized, providing valuable insights for the government to formulate quarantine-related strategies in the face of future emerging infectious disease pandemics, ensuring efficient deployment and safeguarding public health.