Taiwan to ease current mask mandate and other epidemic prevention measures starting July 19
Date:2022-07-19On July 19, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced eased mask rules and other epidemic prevention measures after taking into consideration the improving COVID-19 situation in Taiwan and analyzing the developments in the pandemic situation; related details are listed below.
I. Mask rules will be loosened. The mask-wearing rule will be lifted for scooter riders/cyclists, adding one more situation where people are not required to wear masks. Masks are required at all times when outside except for certain situations.
a. Masks remain mandatory when singing.
b. In the following situations, people are not required to wear a mask, but they should carry a mask with them or have a mask ready for use. Masks are still required if COVID-19 symptoms are present and social distancing cannot be maintained with non-specific persons.
1. When exercising outdoors or indoors;
2. When taking individual/group photos indoors or outdoors;
3. When driving a vehicle or riding a scooter or bicycle by oneself or with live-in family members;
4. When livestreaming, filming, moderating an event, reporting, delivering remarks, giving a speech, lecturing, or during activities or events involving conversations with others;
5. When outdoor workers working in open spaces;
6. When people are in forests/mountains (including forest recreation areas) and on the beach;
7. When people are in hot/cold springs, dry sauna rooms, spas, steam rooms, saunas, during water activities, or in venues where masks can get wet easily.
c. Masks may be removed when consuming food/beverages outside.
d. Masks may be temporarily removed in venues or during activities (e.g. art performers performing a show, film crews/TV news anchors when filming, and athletes and referees participating in sports competitions) that comply with the CECC’s or competent authority’s epidemic prevention and control rules.
II. Commercial business venues and public venues (including transportation) should take temperatures, enhance disinfection of premises, carry out health management among staff, and implement timely responses to the occurrence of confirmed cases.
III. Stores, supermarkets, and markets: follow epidemic prevention measures for such commercial business venues/public venues; crowd control is not required, and food sampling is allowed.
IV. Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR), Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA), intercity buses, and ships/ferries (except for designated dining areas), and domestic flights: consuming food and beverages is allowed inside a vehicle (train, ship or aircraft).
V. Dining venues should: rigorously take temperatures and provide hand washing and disinfection equipment; toasting each table is not allowed at banquets. Venues that violate the abovementioned measures are subject to penalties according to applicable laws and required to make remedies within a given time period; those who fail to do so will not be allowed to offer dine-in services.
VI. Religious venues and religious gatherings or events: shall abide by epidemic prevention and control regulations issued by the Ministry of the Interior.