Battening down the hatches

Countries keep epidemic at bay with swift action, heavy fines and smartphone tracking

Taiwan

Despite sitting just 80 miles off the Chinese coast, Taiwan has curbed the virus’s spread through early intervention and a public mentally prepared for strict hygiene measures and inconvenience.

Since January, public buildings have compulsory hand sanitising, and often temperature checks. Face masks have been rationed, people have curbed social activities, and schools have temporarily closed.

When the island was badly affected by Sars in 2003, the government created a robust epidemic strategy. In late December, officials began checking all air passengers from Wuhan amid rumours of a new respiratory disease. Many, but not all, flights from China and South Korea, have been suspended.

Those arriving from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Italy and Iran must self-isolate for 14 days or face tough penalties.

High-risk individuals in home quarantine are monitored via their phones.

Hundreds of contacts of all 45 cases have been traced, tested and quarantined.

Singapore

Despite more than 100 cases, strong ties to high-risk countries and being a major air transit hub, Singapore has stopped the virus’s spread.

Health checks were imposed on travellers and visitors from China restricted by late January. Schools and universities were closed. Self-quarantine measures were imposed on those arriving from hotspots, policed by heavy fines. Those quarantined report their location online.

Singapore has systems to trace the spread of the virus, and anyone giving false information about their travel faces punitive action.

Authorities in January started testing patients with pneumonia. In a country with a costly healthcare system, the government is paying hospital bills for all suspected and confirmed cases.

Hong Kong

Hit hard by the Sars epidemic, officials rapidly kicked into gear, tracking down suspected cases and immediately quarantining anyone who may have been exposed.

Summer camps and hotels were converted into quarantine centres and hundreds quarantining at home are monitored via electronic tags.

Hong Kong shut its border to mainland China, cancelling rail, bus and flight links. Students returning from mainland travel to its five universities must isolate themselves.

Schools and businesses were shuttered, with some opening again only in recent weeks. People keep their distance and few shake hands, while many use masks.

Information about suspected and confirmed cases is published, and those who may have had contact are urged to come forward.