The Ministry of Health and Welfare has announced that the government will extend Taiwan’s Level 3 COVID-19 Alert until July 26. The decision on Thursday comes on the advice of the Central Epidemic Command Center. Before the announcement, Taiwan had been due to lift Level 3 restrictions on July 12.
Under current rules, people must wear masks at all times when outside their homes, and indoor dining at restaurants is banned. Indoor gatherings of five or more people are also prohibited, as are outdoor gatherings of ten or more.
Authorities say most of those restrictions will continue. However, the Central Epidemic Command Center has announced specific guidelines that conditionally ease the rules for several kinds of businesses and venues. These include: outdoor recreation areas, such as national parks and school playgrounds; some entertainment venues, including museums and movie theaters; indoor sports venues except for swimming pools; food and drink venues; and tour groups.
All the above venues will be allowed to open to the public, including indoor dining for restaurants, under certain conditions. Those include imposing crowd control measures, strictly maintaining social distancing and ensuring people wear masks except when eating or drinking. Venues should also closely monitor employees’ health and respond quickly if an employee tests positive for COVID-19.
Local governments are also allowed to tighten restrictions in the case of a local outbreak.
Other venues will remain closed for the time being. Those include concert halls, bars, karaoke venues, massage parlors, fitness centers, and swimming pools, among others.