Economics Minister Wang Mei-hua says the government plans to move forward with a voucher program aimed at stimulating the economy. That’s despite recent COVID-19 clusters in New Taipei City and worrying cases of the Delta variant that has breached Taiwan’s borders.
Under the program, the government will distribute NT$5,000 (US$180) in consumer vouchers to Taiwanese citizens and eligible foreign residents. The vouchers can be used like cash at establishments around Taiwan.
There is concern that the voucher program, which is meant to encourage people to go out and spend, will exacerbate COVID transmission, prompting a new outbreak.
Wang says that the ultimate decision to roll out the vouchers lies with the Cabinet. She says that preparations for the program are going along as planned.