A series of new government measures are scheduled to take effect next month, including new policies governing online passport renewal, vaccination of house cats, and the use of disposable tableware and utensils in public and private schools in Taipei.
From next month, adults can renew their passports through the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ conditional e-passport renewal system if their passports are to expire within six months. Currently, the system only accepts applications from those whose passports have already expired.
People aged 18 to 49 would be able to sign up for a free draw for a digital Hakka token worth NT$1,000. The Hakka Affairs Council is scheduled to give away 280,000 digital tokens this year, and those who win the tokens can begin using them in August in shops in designated Hakka cultural zones. The tokens can be redeemed until June 30 next year.
Photo: EPA
Meanwhile, military personnel who are on active duty can access priority boarding services when flying international flights with China Airlines, EVA Airways, Starlux Airlines, Tigerair Taiwan, Mandarin Airlines and Uni Air.
The Central Weather Administration would also start including wind forecasts for coastal townships in public announcements when the nation is on high alert for typhoons, which would help local government officials determine if work and school should be canceled.
Additionally, people aged 70 or older who undergo knee and hip replacement surgeries, and have high anesthetic risks, would be hospitalized for a shorter duration than before. An estimated 2,600 patients are to benefit each year from the policy, which is designed to encourage hospitals to provide integrated care to patients undergoing surgeries. It is expected to later apply to patients receiving other types of surgeries.
Photo: CNA
House cats would not be required to be vaccinated against rabies if they are placed in trollies, baskets and other containers when taken outdoors. However, rabies vaccination would still be mandatory for free-roaming cats with indoor and outdoor access.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment would publish a “cool map,” showing air-conditioned facilities people can go to when the nation experiences high temperatures.
Citizens aged 16 to 22 can from July 15 use youth sports vouchers in exchange for YouBike coupons, for sports activities and attending sports games.
Air-raid shelters attached to buildings would be included in public safety inspections to ensure the proper use and safety of the facilities, as well as to coordinate with police for evacuation drills.
Families of workers who die in occupational accidents would receive an increased compensation of NT$200,000, up from NT$100,000.
Meanwhile, families of police, firefighters and civil defense personnel who die in the line of duty would be allowed to access public funeral facilities for free.
Standardized contracts by operators of privately run cemeteries and columbariums should also include maintenance fees.
From July 22, people would be charged about NT$1 for single-use tableware and utensils if they eat at the Taipei City Government and city-owned venues outsourced to private contractors, as well as in schools. The policy would apply in about 280 locations in the city.
Hotels overseen by the Taipei City Government would from July 22 stop providing single-use hygiene products, including combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shaving cream and shower caps. From next year, hoteliers contravening the rule would face fines of between NT$3,000 and NT$10,000.
Starting next month, diesel-powered large passenger vehicles, small trucks and cranes that have been in use for three years, and diesel-powered motorcycles that have in use for five years must secure premium self-management labels or proof of inspection before they access the Phase III Air Quality Maintenance Zone in Taipei, including the intersection of Xinsheng S Road and Roosevelt Road, and that of Songjiang Road and Minquan E Road.
Drivers contravening the rule would be fined between NT$500 and NT$5,000.
In Kaohsiung, admission to Chengcing Lake Scenic Area (澄清湖) would be free for all visitors nationwide from next month.
Additionally, those who have had registered households in Kaohsiung for 10 months, down from one year, are entitled to apply for childbirth allowance. Parents with premature infants are entitled to apply for the allowance as well.
Medium-to-low-income elderly residents in Kaohsiung would be qualified to apply for up to NT$100,000 in housing repair subsidies, up from NT$50,000.
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