Taipei and New Taipei have relaxed their COVID-19 restrictions to allow dining in at restaurants and night markets beginning Tuesday. There are still strict measures in place to stop the spread of the virus, but customers and restaurant owners alike are thrilled to see the change.
A waitress brings food for a customer eating in at a restaurant. That hasn’t been allowed for more than two months due to COVID-19. But now restaurants, food courts, traditional markets and night markets are welcoming back dine-in customers.
One customer says she is pleased that COVID cases have gone down in Taiwan and now she can dine in. Another customer says she called ahead and came in straight from work. She says she’s not worried about the virus because she’s following government rules. She says she will leave right after finishing her food.
Certain restrictions still remain in place though. Tables have partitions to keep distance between diners. Customers have to put on masks as soon as they leave their tables. You’re not allowed to walk around while you eat at traditional markets and night markets. Only restaurant staff can serve food at all-you-can-eat buffet venues in Taipei. At other restaurants, customers can only order individual meal sets instead of sharing dishes. New Taipei has even banned karaoke parties at restaurants.
If a customer or an employee is confirmed with COVID, restaurants have to close for three days. After they reopen, they are only allowed to offer take-out for the following 11 days. New Taipei government can ban all indoor dining if COVID cases rise. Authorities are especially concerned about the Delta variant and cluster infections. New Taipei is reminding restaurants that anyone who breaks COVID-19 restrictions will face a fine of $NT3,000 (US$110) to NT$15,000 (US$540).