In the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Taiwan assembled a “Team Taiwan” to manufacture and distribute surgical masks, and provided assistance to countries around the world that were severely impacted by the disease. When there was a resurgence of Covid-19 in Taiwan in May of 2021, people were deeply worried. But the goodwill built up previously was reciprocated, and many countries, including the US and Japan but also Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland, donated vaccines to Taiwan. Together with the vaccines Taiwan has purchased itself, these have enabled Taiwan’s vaccination rate to rise sharply, and today Taiwan remains one of the most successful countries in the world in terms of disease prevention and control.
Taiwan Panorama has gathered together a collection of images that record how the people of Taiwan have defended themselves against Covid-19 over the past year and more. It is only through the dedication of frontline healthcare personnel and the self-discipline of citizens that we have been able to get through this difficult period.
As Covid-19 ran rampant across the globe, Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center implemented border controls and restricted entry into Taiwan by foreign travelers. There was also a sharp decline in outbound passengers at Taoyuan International Airport, leaving the departure halls virtually empty. (photo by Chao Shihhsun)
Wearing protective clothing, a student leaving to study abroad hugs family members while saying goodbye in a departure hall at Taoyuan International Airport. (photo by Chao Shihhsun)
With Taiwan under a nationwide Level 3 epidemic alert, people reduced their away-from-home activities and adapted their lives to disease prevention. Shown here is a rare scene of deserted streets in Taipei’s usually bustling Ximending shopping district. (photo by Lin Min-hsuan)
In July of 2021, movie theaters in Taipei’s Xinyi commercial district temporarily closed down under the rules of a Level 3 epidemic alert, and the surrounding stores were no longer crowded with shoppers. (photo by Lin Min-hsuan)
The severe outbreak of Covid-19 that struck Taiwan in May of 2021 hit the sports industry hard. Many gyms gritted their teeth and stayed open. The photo shows staff at one gym disinfecting the premises. (photo by Chao Shihhsun)
During the outbreak, chemical warfare troops were deployed to disinfect Metro stations so that commuters could travel with peace of mind. The photo shows them at work at Taipei’s Yuanshan station. (courtesy of the Military News Agency)
During the Level 3 alert, many schools were unable to hold graduation ceremonies. Taipei’s Minzu Elementary School used videoconferencing technology to hold a special online ceremony for its students. (photo by Kent Chuang)
To reduce the risk of cluster infections, from May 19, 2021 schools and kindergartens across Taiwan halted in-person classes. Primary and secondary schools used online instruction instead, until the start of the new school year in September. The photo shows an art teacher at Bade Junior High School in Taoyuan using a remote screen to give students a drawing lesson. (photo by Chao Shihhsun)
As part of the international humanitarian assistance effort launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in response to the spread of Covid-19, in 2020 Taiwan donated 54 million surgical masks to more than 80 countries worldwide, demonstrating once again that “Taiwan can help, and Taiwan is helping.” (photo by Chen Mei-ling)
Following the 2021 Covid outbreak in Taiwan, when the country was in urgent need of vaccines, a group of three US senators from across party lines—Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Chris Coons (D-DE)—arrived for a visit in a US Air Force C-17 transport aircraft, which touched down at Taipei’s Songshan Airport at 7:29 a.m. on June 6, 2021. The flight was especially significant because this was the first time a US military C-17 had landed in Taiwan. After deplaning, Senator Duckworth announced that the US would donate 750,000 vaccine doses to Taiwan. (photo by Chang Liang-i)
After news broke of 41 confirmed Covid-19 cases at Taipei’s Huannan Market, on July 3, 2021 the Central Epidemic Command Center and the Taipei City Government set up a forward command center and screening stations at the First Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Market of the Taipei Agricultural Products Marketing Company. CECC commander Chen Shih-chung went to the market to show support for the healthcare personnel from Taipei Veterans General Hospital who were helping with the screening. (photo by Chang Liang-i)
On July 14, 2021, a mass vaccination station began operating in the Expo Dome at Taipei Expo Park. Eighteen vaccination lines were set up inside the venue, each of which could immunize 800 people per day. Doctors were in attendance to ask each person about their health before nurses administered the vaccines. (photo by Kent Chuang)
On July 27, 2021, with the lowering of the epidemic alert level, Keelung’s Miaokou Night Market welcomed its first crowds in over two months. People were eager to feast on the delicious foods that they had not enjoyed in such a long time, while following the rules of the Level 2 alert. (photo by Chang Liang-i)
Taiwan has been able to hold the line against Covid-19 because its people are of one mind and have supported each other to overcome this challenge. (photo by Kent Chuang)
