Taiwan has extended the nationwide Level 3 COVID-19 restrictions through June 28. That means two more weeks of soft lockdown, in the second-highest level on a four-level scale.
Premier Su Tseng-chang made the announcement in a Cabinet pandemic prevention meeting on Monday morning. Cabinet spokesperson Lo Ping-cheng says the decision was based on the advice of Cabinet ministers, with the current outbreak showing no signs of abating.
Under Level 3 restrictions, schools at all levels will continue holding classes online until the summer break in July. People must wear facemasks at all times outside the home and observe strict limits on social gatherings and meetings. A maximum of four people at a time can meet indoors. That rises to a maximum of nine people outdoors.
Health officials told a press conference on Monday afternoon that they are working to make stores safer for customers and employees. They say they are drawing up regulations to shorten opening hours and impose limits on customer numbers. Those regulations will vary depending on the size of the store. Officials are also working to ensure that all stores check customers’ temperatures on entry. Stores should also ensure customers register with their contact details for contact tracing.
Stores in Taipei have also begun limiting entry to people based on the final digit of their ID card, ARC, or passport. If your last digit is odd, you can shop on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. If your last digit is even (including zero), you can shop on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Officials are asking people to self-regulate on weekdays, but stores will enforce the rules (and require identification) on the weekend. Authorities may also issue fines.
Authorities are also working to curb the spread of COVID-19 at hospitals and long-term care facilities. Patients and residents are no longer allowed to receive guests, and can only be accompanied by one person. That will last until Level 3 restrictions are lifted.
The Central Epidemic Command Center says that Taiwan has reached a pivotal moment in the outbreak, and the only way forward is for everyone to work together to fight the pandemic.