Wave of U.S. Travel for Vaccines Highlights Taiwan's Government Dysfunction

 

Economy Daily News EditorialJune 5, 2021

 

Recently, the Taoyuan International Airport has once again become lively after a long period of time. There is especially a surge of travelers going to the United States, including students who previously returned to Taiwan to avoid the pandemic, U.S. citizens who were staying in Taiwan, and a group of Taiwanese tourists vying for vaccination. This wave of return to the United States has caused airlines to increase flights for the first time ever since the pandemic started, and almost all flights are fully booked even if ticket prices are now three times higher. 

 

This phenomenon reflects the crossing of death numbers in the epidemic prevention efforts of the United States versus that of Taiwan, which for the year 2020 was considered a success story. However, due to an epidemic breach in May this year, Taiwan has been in a difficult situation with soaring cases and a shortage of vaccines. On the contrary, although the United States was negligent at first and paid the painful price of 600,000 deaths, America has now found success in its vaccination policy and now has over 50 percent vaccination rate. The worst time has passed for the United States as Americans no longer have to wear masks, and the government is expected to officially lift its entry ban in July to attract tourists and more economic growth.  

 

The sudden reversal of travel, from entering Taiwan to fleeing Taiwan, shows that people are losing faith and patience with the government’s inability to obtain vaccines and take the right measures for a successful epidemic prevention plan.

 

In this upsurge of travelers returning to the United States, it can be observed that only those who have both money and time have the ability to travel for vaccination purposes as well as sightseeing. And since it takes two doses of vaccines for full protection, those who go must stay in the United States for at least one full month. Among these people are those with dual citizenship who returned to Taiwan last year but now are rushing back to the United States for protection. Another category of people are Taiwan citizens who do not have U.S. citizenship but have considerable economic advantages. They may work from home or even have real estate in the United States. Thus, it is understandable for these people to go back to the United States where they can continue to work, enjoy a getaway, and also receive free vaccines for self-protection. 

 

As for the vast majority who cannot travel and obtain vaccines, there is no need to be envious or even jealous. That is because these people who have traveled to the United States to be vaccinated will produce antibodies that will bring a form of protection to the rest of the people. When they return to Taiwan, they will not bring back the virus, which creates an “external benefit” for those who remain in Taiwan. Not only so, they are leaving valuable vaccines for those who cannot travel to the United States, which alleviates the pressure of insufficient domestic vaccines. What’s more, those who go to the United States for vaccines need to spend NT$7,000 (about US$252) for the most expensive coronavirus test in the world as well as endure the inconvenience of 14 days of quarantine upon return.

 

From the perspective of economic benefits, the first wave of the pandemic had greatly drained the aviation industry and the tourism industry while the second wave of the pandemic might reduce domestic tourism down to almost zero. Therefore, whether people are leaving Taiwan to seek refuge, for sightseeing, or in order to get the vaccine, it will certainly bring economic benefits to travel agencies and airlines, and at the same time reduce some burden of the fourth COVID-19 relief package. 

 

From the perspective of external benefits of epidemic prevention as well as the economic benefits for tourism-related industries, this surge of people returning to the United States should be regarded positively. However, it is surprising that the Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, reacted intensely upon the news of “U.S. vaccine tours.” These tours were immediately banned and travel agencies were warned not to have these tours or they would be sanctioned and punished. This mentality that the government has is the same one that caused the epidemic command center to ban the local government from setting early and active preventive measures. The government has also used many administrative obstacles to block non-governmental organizations from purchasing vaccines. All of these actions taken by the government are confusing and illogical. 

 

It is questionable whether the Tourism Bureau understands how badly hurt the aviation and travel industry are by the two waves of the pandemic. If the Tourism Bureau cannot help domestic tourism, what qualifies them to oppose people from going to the United States for protection? Besides, even if the Tourism Bureau prohibits travel agencies from organizing vaccine tours, they still would not be able to control people who go on their own terms. Tickets can still be booked through travel agencies abroad to arrange vaccinations as well as tourism without any problem. Consequently, this ban that the Tourism Bureau issued is simply giving tourism business opportunities to overseas competitors. It would be reasonable that the Tourism Bureau lift the ban as soon as possible and cease all this absurdity.  

 

 

From: https://money.udn.com/money/story/5628/5510240

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