A man enjoys his breakfast as he dines at a restaurant, this time without plastic dividers separating the tables. This is the latest change in dining policies since the COVID-19 outbreak in May.
Some say they'll be more likely to eat out at restaurants, but others say they'll feel more at ease eating at home or offices. While there are still people on the fence, many restaurant owners hope these looser restrictions will encourage more people to support their businesses again.
The government also says customers may serve themselves at buffets instead of waiting on restaurant staff, as long as they are wearing a mask and maintain social distancing. People can also self-select from the hot food section at convenience stores.
Wedding guests will be allowed to walk around and make toasts at various tables. Taipei's Environmental Protection Bureau says that department store food vendors will restart their ban on single-use utensils.
The deputy director of China Medical University Hospital, Hwang Kao-pin says if the daily local case count remains consecutively at zero, Taiwan could lower to a Level 1 alert as early as October 18.
While this is encouraging news, Taiwan must stay cautious and proactive to keep the streak going and allow life to come back to near normal.