Executive President Su Zhenchang, Minister of Communications Wang Guocai (left) and Minister of Health and Welfare Xue Ruiyuan (left) are on stage for inquiries on the opening of the country and epidemic prevention. (Photo by reporter Tian Yuhua)

[Reporter Yang Chengyu/Taipei Report] my country is about to loosen immigration controls on the 13th, officially implement the "0+7" home quarantine exemption, open entry to non-visa-free countries, and cancel the ban on travel agencies.

In response to the question of who pays the medical expenses for foreigners who enter the country and are diagnosed, it is suspected that the guidance of the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Communications and the command center have not been adjusted.

At the Legislative Yuan meeting today (4th), Minister of Health and Welfare Xue Ruiyuan and Minister of Communications Wang Guocai emphasized that the initial stage will be borne by the Chinese government.

The Legislative Yuan Council today invited the President of the Executive Committee, Su Zhenchang, and other heads of relevant ministries and councils to report on the preparation of the "112 Central Government General Budget" and the "Central Government's Prospective Infrastructure Project 4th Special Budget" and prepare for inquiries.

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Yang Qiongying, a legislator of the Kuomintang, asked when my country's border control measures will be significantly loosened on the 13th. If the epidemic situation picks up again, will the current policy be implemented as usual?

Or will it be closed again?

Su Zhenchang replied to the inquiry that my country's measures to open its borders are based on professional considerations for epidemic prevention, and all ministries and committees also make overall considerations.

At present, the epidemic situation is under professional prediction, and my country announced that the border will be lifted when the epidemic situation is under control.

Unless the epidemic suddenly skyrockets, making the domestic capacity unmanageable, we will make adjustments at that time.

However, there is no such sign at present, and the government will keep an eye on changes in the epidemic at any time.

After two years and nine months, my country has accumulated a lot of experience. The government is ready for vaccines, medicines, related personnel and space.

Yang Qiongying questioned, the government said it was ready, but the external caliber was different.

The command center announced on the 29th of last month that the cost of isolation and treatment in Taiwan will be borne by us, regardless of whether it is a foreign country or a foreigner.

However, the guidelines announced by the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation on the 1st of this month pointed out that only the expenses of epidemic prevention hotels should be paid by us, and the treatment expenses should be borne by foreigners.

Su Zhenchang responded that there may have been some differences in understanding at the beginning, but now after the follow-up supplements, the policy has been consistent.

Xue Ruiyuan, Minister of Health and Welfare, said that after the border was lifted, most of the initial entrants were Chinese. Therefore, regardless of nationality or foreign nationality, I will pay the public expense in the initial stage.

But after a certain level, it will be reviewed again.

Minister of Communications Wang Guocai also emphasized that at this stage, my country is responsible for the payment.

Kuomintang legislator Yang Qiongying (right frame) today (4) questioned Executive President Su Zhenchang (left frame right) and Minister of Communications Wang Guocai (left frame left) regarding the burden of medical expenses for foreigners entering the country.

(Excerpted from Congressional Channel Live)