Review of The Achievement for Establishing And Maintaining Core Capacities at Taichung International Airport

DOI: 10.6524/EB.202402_40(4).0001

Shu-Fen Lin^1,2*, Min-Tsung Lin¹, Shun-Wen Tsai¹, Ching-Fen Ko^1,3, Jhy-Wen Wu¹

2024 Vol.40 NO.4

Correspondence Author： Shu-Fen Lin^1,2*

Abstract：

        The International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR (2005)) require member states of World Health Organization (WHO) to maintain public health policies and core capacities at designated ports, to protect the health of travelers and the public, ensure the sanitation of transportations, keep the operation of ports, and minimize unnecessary interference of health regulations with international travel, transportation, and trade. Although Taiwan is not a member state of WHO, we continue to participate in international public health affairs. After Taoyuan International Airport and Kaohsiung Harbor had received full marks and were certified as ports with sustainable development and core capacities in 2013, the plan's second phase is to include Taichung International Airport, the major international airport in central Taiwan.
        Central Regional Center of Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, cooperated with Taichung International Airport of Civil Aeronautics Administration, Ministry of Transportation and Communications to promote Taichung International Airport as the designated port of entry with core capacities. Taichung International Airport gathered all units in the airport with the local government to form a task force to achieve this goal. The airport went through a self-assessment with an experts’ assessment in 2014 and foreign experts’ assessment in 2015 and was certified with the capacity requirements at the designated airport. With all the efforts, all units in the airport maintain the core capacities of a designated airport.  
        During the COVID-19 pandemic, Taichung International Airport adjusted and responded properly to the border quarantine and community epidemic prevention policies of the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) and Nation Health Command Center and qualified as a designated airport with core capacities. This review can provide a reference for other ports to promote their capacities as designated ports.