During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Shareholders Must Wear Masks at Shareholders' Meetings, and Those with Fever Are Barred from the Venue

In view of the severe impact of the 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia (abbreviated as COVID-19), the Financial Supervisory Commission of the Republic of China (abbreviated as FSC) announced that from April 20 until the day the Central Epidemic Command Center is dissolved, at shareholders’ meetings held by public companies, attending shareholders and on-site support staff must all wear masks and cooperate with temperature checks. Those who do not wear masks or refuse to do so, as well as those with forehead temperatures exceeding 37.5°C or ear temperatures exceeding 38°C on two consecutive measurements, may be barred by the company from entering the venue.

After consulting with the Central Epidemic Command Center of the Republic of China, the FSC instructed the Taiwan Depository & Clearing Corporation to revise and adjust the “Operational Guidelines for Holding Shareholders’ Meetings in Response to Epidemic Prevention” on March 16 and April 9. Considering that shareholders attending without masks, or shareholders with fever forcing their way into the venue, could increase the risk of infection for company personnel and other shareholders, the latest version 3.0 guidelines were revised and issued in conjunction with the above announcement.

The FSC calls on investors to comply with the company’s epidemic prevention measures when attending shareholders’ meetings in person. During the pandemic, electronic voting can be used more often, which is the best way to prevent the epidemic while safeguarding shareholders’ rights to participate in meetings.

Reference Articles / Further Reading:

1. Bank Controls: During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Those Without Masks and Those with a 37.5°C Fever May Not Enter Business Premises
2. Bow Instead of Shaking Hands: A New Etiquette Movement Against the COVID-19 Infectious Disease.