Taiwan will maintain its Level 2 COVID-19 Alert until October 18, but authorities are relaxing a number of key restrictions. That’s according to Monday’s COVID-19 briefing by the deputy chief of the Central Epidemic Command Center, Chen Tsung-yen.
From Tuesday, restaurants do not have to place plastic dividers on tables for dine-in customers. Authorities are also easing rules that say that tables should be placed 1.5 meters apart.
Likewise, dine-in customers will be allowed to share dishes and serve themselves at buffet-style food counters. Currently, only restaurant staff can serve food at buffet restaurants.
Chen also says a number of entertainment venues will be able to reopen for the first time in months. Those include video game arcades, karaoke bars and mahjong parlours.
Visitor numbers at national parks can also return to normal, although there will still be limits on overnight stays at mountain lodges. Authorities are raising that limit from one third of full capacity to half-capacity.