The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) was disbanded yesterday and the status of COVID-19 was downgraded.
COVID-19 vaccination would remain free of charge, but healthcare providers can now ask for a registration fee, the government said.
People would no longer have the option to take vaccination leave, which people could take since May 2021, it said.
Photo: Lo Pei-de, Taipei Times
People with risk factors for severe COVID-19 would still be eligible for free prescriptions for antivirals and the traditional herbal formula Chingguan Yihau (清冠一號), also known as NRICM101.
Drug prescription rules for people with “long COVID” would remain, as would treatment facilities for them, the government said, adding that the treatment of people with serious COVID-19 complications would still be covered by the government.
The name-based rationing scheme that allowed people to buy COVID-19 rapid tests at discounted prices was also discontinued, the government said.
However, then-CECC officials earlier said that for the time being, they expect unsubsidized tests to continue to be sold at most pharmacies, supermarkets and convenience stores.
The mask requirement at medical facilities, including pharmacies, and in ambulances would remain in place through at least May 30, the CECC said before the Ministry of Health and Welfare took over its responsibilities.
The Centers for Disease Control would provide updates on the COVID-19 situation, as well as other diseases, at its weekly news briefings on Tuesdays.
Considering that most countries issue more than five denominations of banknotes, the central bank has decided to redesign all five denominations, the bank said as it prepares for the first major overhaul of the banknotes in more than 24 years. Central bank Governor Yang Chin-lung (楊金龍) is expected to report to the Legislative Yuan today on the bank’s operations and the redesign’s progress. The bank in a report sent to the legislature ahead of today’s meeting said it had commissioned a survey on the public’s preferences. Survey results showed that NT$100 and NT$1,000 banknotes are the most commonly used, while NT$200 and NT$2,000
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