The legislature passed an amendment to the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Control Act (
If hotel and sauna proprietors fail to provide condoms, they may be fined up to NT$150,000.
"The proprietors can decide to provide condoms using a vending machine, put the condoms in the room, or provide them at the counter upon request. The proprietors can also decide whether they want to give the condoms away free of charge or at cost," Department of Health Director Chen Chien-jen (
The amendment also allows foreigners, Chinese and people from Hong Kong and Macau with AIDS to apply for short stays in Taiwan, but the maximum is one application every three months for a 14-day stay.
If a foreigner acquires AIDS in Taiwan from his or her spouse, the authorities may not reject his or her application for a visa or residence permit.
Meanwhile, the legislature also passed an amendment regarding compulsory automobile liability insurance, which reduces the fines for those who have not insured their cars or motorcycles.
According to the amendment, car owners who have not paid the insurance can be fined from NT$3,000 to NT$15,000, while scooter owners can be fined from NT$1,500 to NT$3,000.
An insurance company must inform a vehicle owner 30 days before their insurance expires, and unless the owner violates certain regulations, the insurance contract cannot be rescinded.
When a victim dies in a car accident, the victim's family can ask the insurance company or Motor Vehicle Accident Compensation Fund for compensation, regardless of who is at fault in the accident.
The compensation should go first to parents, then children and spouses, then grandparents, grandchildren and finally siblings.
The legislature also approved the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) created by the World Health Organization, despite the fact Taiwan is not yet a member of the organization.
The FCTC stipulates tighter controls on tobacco by raising public awareness of tobacco control issues, restricting or banning tobacco advertising, and demanding printing of warning signs on tobacco packages.
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
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man
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