The Mid-Autumn Festival is quickly approaching, and that means train stations around Taiwan will be filled with travelers taking advantage of the four-day weekend. In order to meet the high demand for tickets, Taiwan Railways and the High Speed Railway will raise seating capacity from 70% to 80%.
The seating capacity was lowered after a COVID-19 outbreak in May, in order to decrease the risk of passengers spreading the disease on their trip. Taiwan Railways says that tickets for the Mid-Autumn Festival weekend will go on sale on September 7 at 9:00 am.
People will be able to take off their masks to eat food inside train stations, but not after they pass through the ticket gates to board the train. This new rule does not apply to the atrium in Taipei Main Station, since there are often large crowds moving around. Passengers on specialty tourist trains may be allowed to eat on board, but authorities haven't finalized specific regulations yet.
Public facilities at scenic tourist areas will also be loosening restrictions. Indoor changing rooms are set to open, although guests need to sign-in and there must be separate lines for entry and exit. Outdoor showers will also be available, but guests will only be allowed to take off their masks once they are in the enclosed shower room.
With life starting to return to normal, people can't wait to embrace these new freedoms on adventures around the island.