CECC to Discuss Shortening Quarantine Days 指揮中心本週討論 確診隔離縮短為5+0

The CECC has decided to hold another meeting this week to determine whether the mandatory quanantine period should be shortened from the current seven days to five days since the year end election is just around the corner and it could affect the voter turnout. 

The local elections will take place on Nov. 26, but individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 will not be able to vote if the quarantine period extends beyond election day. It is estimated that nearly 300,000 people will be affected. Chuang Jen-hsiang, a spokesperson for the Central Epidemic Command Center, said an expert meeting will be held again this week to discuss reducing quarantine from the current seven days to five days.

Chuang Jen-hsiang, Spokesperson, CECC: “We will again discuss shortening the quarantine period for those who contracted COVID-19 to five days.”

Domestic experts expressed optimism because regardless of the election, shortening the quarantine period for confirmed cases is an international trend. COVID-19's infection ability is the highest in the first few days, and then gradually subsides. Everyone's detoxification speed is different, especially with this wave of the BA.5 variant. Most of the patients have mild symptoms. Experts recommend those who contracted the virus only go out after testing negative and should wear a mask, which can reduce the risk of transmission.

Huang Li-min, Honorary Chairperson, Infectious Diseases Society of Taiwan: “Of course, it's a bit of a risk for a confirmed patient to go out to vote after the 5th day. So I emphasize that voters must wear masks and wash their hands. Also don't stay too long at the polling station.”

Chiang Kuan-yu, Doctor, Taipei City Hospital: “Implement quick screening tests, which will help restore normal life and raise awareness. It is a virus that has no active basis for continuing to copy proteins.”

The epidemic has slowed down, and lifting the mask mandate will be discussed in November. Chuang emphasized that expert meetings only make recommendations for policies, and it is unknown when they will be implemented. The epidemic situation has been declining for three consecutive weeks and the measures to loosen the mask order will be discussed in November. The general direction is separating indoor and outdoor policies, and they will be implemented in stages. 

再過20幾天就是九合一選舉投票日，不過新冠確診者隔離期間不能外出投票，引發外界爭議，推估約有近30萬人受影響。莊人祥31日週一首度鬆口表示，考量本土疫情已降溫，本週將再次召開專家會議，針對確診隔離天數從現行7天縮短為5天的可行性。

中央流行疫情指揮中心發言人莊人祥表示：「會針對確診的目前要隔離7天，它的天數會做縮短的部分，會再次的討論，主要還是以5天為主。」

對此，國內專家表示樂觀其成，因為不論有無選舉因素，縮短確診者隔離天數是國際趨勢。新冠病毒感染是以初期前幾天病毒量最高，之後漸漸消退，每個人排毒速度不同。尤其這波BA.5疫情，患者大多為輕症，建議還是快篩陰性、戴口罩再出門，比較能降低傳播風險。

台灣感染症醫學會名譽理事長黃立民建議：「（確診）第5天以後去出門投票，當然還是有點風險。所以要強調的是，投票的人要戴口罩、把手洗乾淨，同時不要在投票的地方待太久。」

北市聯醫中興院區醫師姜冠宇認為：「落實快篩從2條線變為1條線，那這樣才能夠恢復我們與人交流的一個正常生活，要有這樣的一個意識在，它是一個病毒有沒有活躍、繼續複製蛋白的一個依據啦。」

莊人祥強調，專家會議只是針對政策做出建議，何時實施是未知數。至於口罩令，因為疫情已連續3週都下降，11月就會開始討論口罩鬆綁措施，大方向是室內、戶外，分階段來實施。