How does COVID-19 penetrate the ‘steel’ defenses of Taiwan and Singapore?

Both are anti-epidemic models thanks to the ‘steel’ defense fence erected against COVID-19, but both Singapore and Taiwan are having a headache with a new wave of epidemics.
Thanks to strict immigration and quarantine measures, Singapore controlling the COVID-19 epidemic quite well and starting to consider the development of a tourist bubble with neighboring countries.

However, since the case was recorded at Changi Airport at the end of April, the COVID-19 wave broke out again in the lion island nation. Since April 26, the country has recorded more than 200 community infections. This number in March was only 9 cases. From the initial infection, Changi Airport is now the largest outbreak in Singapore with more than 70 cases. Singapore recorded more than 200 community COVID-19 cases since April 26. (Photo: Straits Times) Mr. Ong Ye Kung – co-chair of the Singapore Inter-Ministerial Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control said that the second wave F0 could be transit travelers. “Most of the cases at the airport are concentrated in the area with the flow of passengers from high-risk countries including Southeast Asia, in the baggage and immigration control area. In that area, The staff went to have lunch and dinner at the food court and commercial service area in the second basement of T3 station, from which we determined that they had infected people when they came here.” this man said. After detecting the cluster of infections, Singapore immediately blocked Changi Airport. But medical experts in this country believe that the virus has spread to the community before the blockade order. Facing the complicated epidemic situation, Singapore decided to further tighten social distancing measures from May 16 to June 13. According to the new regulations, the number of people allowed to gather will be reduced from 5 people to 2 people, each family can only receive 2 guests a day. Employees are forced to work from home, restaurants and public food centers will temporarily suspend on-site dining, serving only take-out food. Shopping centers further reduce the number of people entering and leaving. Attractions, exhibitions, museums and libraries will reduce their capacity to 25% from the current 50%. Similar to Singapore, another anti-epidemic model is Taiwan are also struggling to cope with the second wave of COVID-19. The island has gone 253 days without recording any domestic infections, but now the number of COVID-19 cases is increasing sharply. In 2020, Taiwan, although bordering China, recorded less than 1,000 cases. Guardian call this an extraordinary number. However, on May 14, Taiwan’s health authorities reported 29 “domestic” cases. This number increased to 180 on May 15, 206 on May 16, 333 on May 17 and 240 today. In just one week, the number of COVID-19 cases in Taiwan increased by more than 40%. Medical staff prepare to test a person suspected of having COVID-19 in Taiwan. (Photo: Reuters) Cracks began to appear in the anti-epidemic wall of Taiwan at the end of April when 2 pilots of China Airlines were confirmed with COVID-19. The pilots flew together on a cargo flight to the US and were quarantined at another Novotel upon their return to Taiwan. By early May, dozens of China Airlines pilots, flight attendants, their relatives and hotel staff were confirmed to have COVID-19. However, before these cases were discovered, some went to restaurants, bars and clubs. These cases led Taiwanese to criticize the government’s decision to reduce the quarantine period for crew members from 5 to 3 days in mid-April. After an investigation, the Novotel hotel was discovered to let a number of quarantined pilots share the same building with regular tourists. During the time when Taiwan stops welcoming foreign guests, Novotel Hotel opens incentive programs to welcome visitors on the island. Dr Chiou Shu-ti, a former health commissioner of Taipei, said authorities were “playing with fire” by easing quarantine requirements. After recording the number of cases skyrocketed, the COVID-19 warning in Taipei and New Taipei was raised to level 3 in a 4-level scale, People must wear masks outside, not to gather outdoors for more than 10 people. Cinemas, sports centres, libraries and entertainment venues were also forced to close. It is not clear how the new drastic measures will help Taiwan and Singapore overcome the new wave of the epidemic. But experts believe it will take weeks or even months for these two places to once again defeat COVID-19.