The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) will ensure that waste produced by people quarantined because of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, is handled without putting others at risk of catching the virus, EPA Administrator Hau Lung-bin (
The EPA held an emergency meeting yesterday morning with the Department of Health to discuss the management of suspected infectious waste produced by probable and suspected SARS patients and residents isolated at home.
"We will do our best to ensure the waste will not cause environmental pollution or jeopardize public safety," Hau said after the meeting.
PHOTO: CHEN TSAN-KUN, TAIPEI TIMES
Hau said that he was disappointed to see a row erupt in Yunlin County yesterday over suspected infectious waste from the Taipei Municipal Hoping Hospital, which has been closed since last Thursday as part of the government's SARS prevention measures.
"It's time for us to show our love for Taiwan. We should do our best to help those who are suffering because of the disease," Hau said.
Hundreds of residents of Yuanchang Township (
"Why does the waste have to be burnt here? There are many other incinerators, including in Taipei," said township chief Li Chih-cheng (
The protest was triggered by a waste transfer last Saturday when Sunny Friend shipped 1.2 tonnes of waste from the hospital.
Sunny Friend said it was contracted to treat 30 tonnes of infectious waste produced by the hospital.
Due to strong local opposition, Sunny Friend later decided to break the contract, promising not to transfer any medical waste from Hoping to Yunlin County.
EPA officials, however, said yesterday that the government would force Sunny Friend, which has a daily capacity of 18 tonnes, to honor the contract by evoking the Waste Disposal Act (廢棄物清理法).
Hau said EPA officials will monitor all steps of infectious waste transfers.
"We will put EPA officials in Yunlin to ensure the waste will be processed smoothly," Hau said.
According to Chen Hsiung-wen (
Chen said the total capacity of the 23 incinerators available to treat infectious waste is 880,000 tonnes.
"Even if the amount of medical waste is doubled due to the spread of SARS, existing waste handlers can still deal with the situation," Chen said.
In Kaohsiung, local opposition against the opening of a special SARS clinic for those suspected of carrying the disease became more violent as residents scared by the spread of SARS blocked the entrance to the building.
"Residents should should have kept their cool," said Han Ming-jung (
"The facility is still very far from the nearest residential area, making it impossible to spread infections," Han said.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The
RSS