Visa rules stiffened for Hong Kong visitors

Premier Yu Shyi-kun said yesterday that visitors from Hong Kong would not be able to get landing visas for at least the next month as the government tries to check the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). They will instead have to apply for a visa ahead of their departure.

During a legislative interpellation yesterday, where SARS topped lawmakers' concerns, the premier also said that visas would not be issued in Hong Kong for non-essential trips.

Yu also urged Taiwanese abroad who think they may have SARS to seek medical attention in the host country rather than returning to Taiwan.

"In principle, on-the-spot treatment is recommended for infected citizens," he said. "But the government will assist citizens who want to come back to receive medical treatment through help from the country's overseas diplomatic missions and Taiwanese business associations."

Department of Health (DOH) Director-General Twu Shiing-jer (涂醒哲) supported Yu's stance, saying the policy was based on "humane considerations."

Twu said that being treated in the host country would be better for the patient, as they would not have to wait to get home before receiving treatment.

"Staying would also be considerate to other people, such as those who would otherwise be traveling with the patient and their family members," he said.

In response to a question from DPP Legislator Wang Sing-nan (王幸男) on halting cross-strait exchanges, the premier said that for non-Taiwanese applying to enter from China, the decision on granting them a visa would be made in accordance with World Health Organization recommendations and after consultations with the DOH.

The premier reiterated that a final decision on suspending the so-called "small three links" and cross-strait exchanges would be made based on the national interest and maintaining international trading activities.

For the time being, the premier said, the government had suspended all non-essential cross-strait activities.

Yu also pledged his support for the Taipei City Government's prevention measures and promised that the central administration would help in battling the epidemic.

"Measures adopted by the city's health bureau have been implemented after consultation with the DOH. The Executive Yuan endorses the work that the city government has done against the infection," he said.

The premier also said that the government might tap its reserve funds to pay for prevention measures.