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SARS epidemic: Pan-blues offer support for tougher SARS measures

Both the KMT and PFP legislature caucuses yesterday expressed their support for a declaration of an emergency decree if the nation's severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) situation continues to worsen.

The opposition legislature caucuses however stressed that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) should exercise his authority with extreme discretion and prudence.

"A declaration of an emergency decree should be regarded as the last resort," said PFP spokesman Hwang Yih-jiau (黃義交). "It therefore should only be considered under extreme circumstances."

"Unless it is really necessary to declare a state of emergency, we strongly recommend that the government takes step-by-step measures such as amending laws to help curb and contain the spread of SARS in Taiwan," added Hwang, pointing out that none of the 26 countries where SARS cases have been reported have so far declared a state of emergency.

The PFP legislature caucus will today meet with that of the KMT to discuss and draft a specific law governing SARS prevention and control, Hwang said.

Hwang said that the caucuses would propose the draft on Tuesday when the legislature convenes its session.

PFP Legislator Lee Yung-ping (李永萍) said that the law would empower the central government with more authority in battling the SARS without the constraints of existing laws.

"The law would address all-around issues and measures concerning the prevention and control of SARS," said Lee at a press conference held yesterday to announce the establishment of the party's anti-SARS task force.

"Fore example, what do we do with the body of a deceased SARS patient, if there is one? Should it be cremated?" she said.

"Also, for any of our China-based Taiwanese businesspeople who are infected with SARS over there, how would the government provide assistance and medical service to them?" she said.

PFP Legislator Kao Ming-chien (高明見), himself a doctor, said that the proposed law governing SARS prevention and control would also stipulate situations under which compensation should be paid to persons or establishments, punishment dispensed or awards handed out.

"The draft law therefore could stipulate a set of standards the government can refer to when it deals with all SARS issues," Lee said, adding that more concrete details concerning the draft law would be made available later today after the meeting of the two opposition caucuses.

At the press conference, PFP Vice Chairman Chang Chao-hsiung (張昭雄), a former cardiologist, urged the central government to establish a Cabinet-level SARS prevention and control command center to make decisions relating to the nation's SARS situation.

"SARS is an issue that implicates areas such as the economy, trade and transportation," he said.
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