Taichung to be first to ban e-cigarette use by minors
Taichung to be first to ban e-cigarette use by minorsBy Chang Ching-ya and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writerTaichung is set to become the first of the nation’s six special municipalities to ban residents under the age of 18 from using or possessing e-cigarettes, starting in September. Under the Taichung Autonomous Act for E-Cigarette Hazards Prevention (台中市電子煙危害防制自治條例) passed by the Taichung City Council on Wednesday, provision of e-cigarettes or related items to minors or pregnant women is to be punishable by a fine between NT$10,000 and N$50,000, as of Sept. 28. Using e-cigarettes at schools, museums and movie theaters or on public transportation systems is also to be banned, with violators liable to fines ranging from NT$2,000 to NT$10,000. A person uses an e-cigarette on Nov. 6 last year in Taipei. E-cigarettes had fallen between the regulatory cracks as they are not considered a tobacco product under the terms of the Tobacco Hazard and Prevention Act (菸害防治法), the Taichung City Government said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 29, 2020 15:56 UTC
Virus Outbreak: Majority wants passports remade to end confusion
The cover of the nation’s passports bears the name “Republic of China” in English under the nation’s official Chinese name, while “Taiwan” is printed in English under the national emblem. Republic of China passports are pictured in Taipei on Feb. 26. “People have suggested using stickers or passport holders to distinguish the Taiwanese passport from the Chinese passport. We suggest that the passport cover be redesigned,” NPP Chairman Hsu Yung-ming (徐永明) said. The party would ask people to submit their ideas for a new passport cover design before the summer vacation, Hsu said, adding that it would work with experts to create samples for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to consider.
Source:Taipei Times
March 29, 2020 15:56 UTC
Virus Outbreak: People who litter masks face fines of up to NT$6,000
Virus Outbreak: People who litter masks face fines of up to NT$6,000Staff writer, with CNAPeople who throw away their masks in public areas can be fined up to NT$6,000, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said. Masks fall under the category of general waste and should be disposed of in regular garbage bins, the ministry said. However, those who discard their masks on the street can be fined NT$1,200 to NT$6,000 under the Waste Disposal Act (廢棄物清理法), it said. Photo: Lo Chi, Taipei TimesLocal governments have reported an increase in the number of discarded masks since the COVID-19 outbreak began, as the use of masks has skyrocketed. Only four masks were found in the garbage bins that the hospital had set up, the bureau said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 29, 2020 15:56 UTC
Tsai unveils memorial to officers killed in January
Tsai unveils memorial to officers killed in JanuaryStaff writer, with CNAPresident Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday unveiled a memorial wall honoring eight senior military officers who lost their lives in a helicopter crash in January, including former chief of the general staff Shen Yi-ming (沈一鳴). President Tsai Ing-wen, center left, yesterday presents a commemorative plaque to a relative of one of the eight military officers killed in a helicopter crash in January at the unveiling of a memorial wall outside the Ministry of Defense in Taipei honoring the men. Tsai once again expressed her sorrow and offered condolences to the officers’ families, thanking the men for their contributions to the nation. “Lastly, I want to tell the eight officers who died while carrying out their duties: We will remember your sacrifices,” she said. Prior to the unveiling, Tsai led a spring memorial service in honor of national martyrs at the National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine, which is about 1km from the ministry.
Source:Taipei Times
March 29, 2020 15:56 UTC
Su chides ministry over NPA row
Su called on Chen to continue serving in his position steadfastly while waiting for the judiciary to prove his innocence. Hsu had forwarded a case involving Chen, NPA Department of Human Resources Director Chang Shu-fang (張淑芳), as well as NPA Director-General’s Office coordinators Wu Cheng-chieh (吳正杰), Chu Cheng-tzu (渠正慈) and Wang Wen-chu (王文助), to the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office. Premier Su Tseng-chang yesterday comments on the Ministry of the Interior’s decision to report National Police Agency Director-General Chen Chia-chin to prosecutors during a visit to Taichung Distillery to inspect the progress of the distillery’s epidemic prevention measures. Su yesterday said he was dismayed by the incident, adding that the public is likely confused and unimpressed by the kerfuffle, especially amid fears over COVID-19. Su added that the ministry did not inform his aide of the matter until after 8pm on Friday.
Source:Taipei Times
March 28, 2020 16:00 UTC
Taiwan to join seismic survey
Inaugurated in May 2018, the 2,629 tonne Legend is managed by the National Applied Research Laboratories’ Taiwan Ocean Research Institute (TORI). An ocean floor seismometer developed by Taiwanese researchers is deployed in the Okinawa Trough in 2018. In September 2018, they deployed 35 OBSs in the trough and recovered 33 of them nine months later, Kuo said. The survey found that earthquakes below the northern trough can happen at depths of up to 300km, deeper than a previous observation of nearly 200km, he said. Developing more survey instruments instead of purchasing them from elsewhere is key to boosting research and industrial capacity, Kuo said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 28, 2020 15:56 UTC
Virus Outbreak: CECC to issue information disclosure guidelines
Academia Sinica, National Chengchi University and National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) have issued announcements to clarify their quarantine measures for confirmed cases. There can be a lapse between a school’s disease prevention actions and the CECC’s daily case announcement, an NTHU administrative officer said on Friday. NTU said it was upset about criticism it had received over its disease prevention measures, as those criticizing it did not realize the measures’ importance. Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中), who heads the CECC, yesterday said that announcing confirmed cases is the center’s job, but it respects entities for disclosing detailed information if they do not divulge personal information. To avoid interagency confusion, the center would draft guidelines about information disclosure, he said, urging agencies to cooperate, instead of confronting each other.
Source:Taipei Times
March 28, 2020 15:56 UTC
Virus Outbreak: CAA initiates rules for crew, pilots
Virus Outbreak: CAA initiates rules for crew, pilotsStaff writer, with CNAStrict measures forcing the cabin crews and pilots of local airlines to be quarantined at home between flights to combat COVID-19 were put into effect on Friday, the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) said. The home quarantine period for cargo flights would be three days, Lin said. At home, the crew members are not allowed to leave their homes at all during their five-day or three-day quarantines. Previously, airline crew were not subject to the home-quarantine requirement as long as they followed the standard operating procedures while overseas. That practice raised concerns, particularly this week after two cargo flight pilots with China Airlines were confirmed to have contracted the disease.
Source:Taipei Times
March 28, 2020 15:56 UTC
Virus Outbreak: Next week critical in fight against coronavirus, Ko says
Virus Outbreak: Next week critical in fight against coronavirus, Ko saysBy Lee I-chia / Staff reporterTaipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) yesterday said that the disease prevention measures implemented in the next week would be critical in determining how the nation’s COVID-19 situation develops. Ko made the remark on the sidelines of a launch event for Cherish Food Taiwan’s Cherish Food Kitchen, which is to provide 300 free hot boxed lunches each day to frontline healthcare professionals at seven hospitals in Taipei and New Taipei City. Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je, right, listens as New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi speaks yesterday at an event in New Taipei City organized by Cherish Food Taiwan. The seven hospitals are: New Taipei City Hospital’s Sanchong and Banciao branches, the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Taipei Hospital and Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital, Shinkong Wu Ho-su Memorial Hospital, and Taipei City Hospital’s Chung Hsin Branch. “In my opinion, the upcoming week is the most dangerous period [for Taiwan], as the reported cases have increased by about 20 every day,” he said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 28, 2020 15:56 UTC
E Ink eyes growth jump this quarter despite pandemic
E Ink eyes growth jump this quarter despite pandemicBy Lisa Wang / Staff reporterE Ink Holdings Inc (元太科技), a supplier of e-paper displays, expects a slight uptick in growth this quarter as demand for e-readers and electronic shelf labels (ESLs) improves amid the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it said yesterday. The E Ink Holdings Inc booth at Computex Taipei is pictured on May 28 last year. It also plans to add manufacturing tools at its fab in Hsinchu, which would add some capacity, E Ink said. Last year’s downtrend in royalty income would likely extend into this year, the company said. Last year, E Ink took in NT$2.24 billion in royalty income by licensing advanced fringe field switching LCD technology to flat-panel makers.
Source:Taipei Times
March 27, 2020 15:56 UTC
Virus Outbreak: Locally grown tea may have treatment key, study says
Virus Outbreak: Locally grown tea may have treatment key, study saysStaff writer, with CNAResearchers have identified an antioxidant in locally grown black tea leaves as a potential inhibitor of protease activity in SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital said on Wednesday. Photo copied by Lin I-chang, Taipei TimesIn coronaviruses, RdRp catalyzes the replication of RNA from a template, making it an attractive candidate to help develop a treatment, Wu said. RdRp in SARS-CoV-2 is also a primary target for the antiviral remdesivir, which the WHO has called the most promising drug available for the treatment of COVID-19, he said. However, the exact in vivo effect is still unclear, and further research is needed to confirm the mechanism whereby theaflavin targets SARS-CoV-2, Wu said. If the treatment were proved to be viable, the government’s first priority would be to guarantee domestic supply, Chen said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 27, 2020 15:56 UTC
KMT amendments reach committee review phase
KMT amendments reach committee review phaseYOUTHFUL APPROACH: Johnny Chiang called on the DPP to form a constitutional reform committee, saying that young people should speak up for their own rightsBy Sean Lin / Staff reporterA proposal by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus to amend the Constitution to lower the legal voting age to 18 and the age ofpolitical party candidacy to 20 yesterday advanced to committee review. “Today is the most significant day for the reforms that the KMT has pledged to undertake,” KMT Legislator Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) told a news conference in Taipei. As the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has been a vocal supporter of lowering the legal age of candidacy, it should quickly assemble a constitutional reform committee to respond to calls from young people, he added. Politicians have traditionally made decisions for young people without listening to what they really want, KMT caucus secretary-general Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said. The KMT used to oppose lowering the legal voting age because it believed that younger voters generally disliked it, DPP caucus director-general Cheng Yun-peng (鄭運鵬) said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 27, 2020 15:56 UTC
Virus Outbreak: CECC’s Chen Shih-chung will not be replaced: premier
Virus Outbreak: CECC’s Chen Shih-chung will not be replaced: premierBy Sean Lin / Staff reporterPremier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) yesterday said he would not replace Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) as head of the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC). Former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislator Apollo Chen (陳學聖) last week called for Chen Shih-chung to be replaced, citing the contracting economy and panic buying of daily necessities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A police officer takes Premier Su Tseng-chang’s temperature before he enters the Legislative Yuan in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Wang Yi-sung, Taipei TimesChen Shih-chung “is very professional and responsible, and he has done a great job,” Su told reporters at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei. Chen Shih-chung’s approval rating reflects public approval of the overall team, Su said.
Source:Taipei Times
March 27, 2020 15:56 UTC
Virus Outbreak: Firm donates COVID-19 picture books
Virus Outbreak: Firm donates COVID-19 picture booksBy Dennis Xie / Staff writer, with CNATaiwan Mac Educational Co is to donate 1,000 picture books about COVID-19 to the Ministry of Education, which said it would distribute them to schools across the nation, the publisher said on Tuesday. The book, titled Say Bye Bye to the Novel Coronavirus (和新型冠狀病毒說 Bye Bye) uses vivid illustrations to explain how COVID-19 has affected the world and what preventive measures people can adopt to keep it away, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Kao Chia-yu (高嘉瑜) said. Kao said that she facilitated the donation after learning about the book’s upcoming release during an interview with the Taipei-based publisher about the outbreak’s effect on the local publishing industry. National Taiwan University Hospital pediatrician Huang Li-min, right, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Kao Chia-yu, center, and Taiwan Mac Educational Co president Huang Chang-fa hold copies of a picture book about COVID-19 at a news conference in Taipei on Tuesday. K-12 Education Administration member Chan Ya-hui (詹雅惠) said that her agency would send the books to schools across Taiwan, prioritizing rural areas.
Source:Taipei Times
March 27, 2020 15:56 UTC
GoShare eyes Tainan for its scooter-sharing service
GoShare eyes Tainan for its scooter-sharing serviceBy Lisa Wang / Staff reporterGoShare, an electric scooter sharing service provider with Gogoro Inc (睿能創意), plans to expand to Tainan next quarter in a strategic alliance with Aeon Motor Co (宏佳騰). GoShare executives yesterday introduce the company’s new GoShare service with parking points at 11 tourist attractions around New Taipei City. Aeon Motor is the first member of the Powered by Gogoro Network to join forces with GoShare to promote the sharing service. The company has deployed 4,000 electric scooters in Taoyuan and Taipei, a relatively smaller fleet than Wemo Corp (威摩科技), which has 7,000 electric scooters in Taipei, New Taipei City and Kaohsiung. Hotai Leasing Corp’s (和運租車) “iRent” electric scooter sharing service has a wider footprint, covering the six special municipalities of Taipei, New Taipei City, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung.
Source:Taipei Times
March 26, 2020 15:56 UTC