The nation has had no new domestic COVID-19 cases for 56 days. As of June 7, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) has lifted restrictions on social distancing and flow control, as well as on large gatherings in food and drink places, scenic and entertainment areas, and art and cultural events. Tainan City Government urges vigilance in the fight against COVID-19, while a lenient yet careful approach can be gradually adopted. The government continues to monitor the latest developments and conducts inter-agency joint investigation to inspect entertainment places. With safeguarding the health of all citizens as top priority, Tainan City Government has announced new disease prevention and control policies after relevant restrictions are eased.
The new policies announced by Mayor Huang Wei-Che fall into the three following aspects:
- Real-name registration: Real-name registration is required for everyone when citizens attend banquets, meetings or temple gatherings, participate in exhibitions or performances in cultural and art venues, visit entertainment sites, or are on business in public places. When citizens go to hospitals, healthcare facilities, or long-term care facilities, advanced appointment is required.
- Separation screens in restaurants: Restaurants must still provide and install separation screens on dining tables to prevent airborne transmission through droplets and suspended particles.
- Face masks: The central government has lifted restrictions requiring passengers to wear face masks on public transportation. But all train conductors, bus drivers, and front desk service staff still must wear face masks, as well as all front desk staff at district offices, household registration offices, and city government’s public-facing units. When citizens visit clinics, hospitals, and healthcare and long-term care facilities, face mask is required, as well as hand hygiene practice and temperature-taking. For facilities that limit the number of visitors allowed, citizens must cooperate accordingly.
The city government is studying the possibility of reopening mass gatherings. The government, working closely with the Taiwan Orchid Growers Association, is rescheduling the Taiwan International Orchid Show that was previously planned on March 6 but postponed due to the epidemic outbreak. As soon as the dates are confirmed, the information will be released on the official website. As for the International Dragon Boat Festival, it will still be held on June 25 as scheduled. Though the event scale will be smaller than in previous years, there will be performances and fairs to entertain the public.
The government has partially lifted the ban on open market surgical mask sales, while the system of real-name purchase of face masks is still in place. Meanwhile, mask hoarding or driving up mask prices is strictly illegal. Citizens may now purchase face masks in multiple channels, without having to worry about the government’s mask inventory and supply.
Tainan City Government reviews and examines its disease prevention and control policies dynamically and on a rolling basis. As the government continues to relax further restrictions, all updates will be announced to the public on the city government’s official website, and on the Facebook pages of the Mayor and of various government agencies. For any related questions, please call the disease prevention hotline at 06-288-0180 or 06-633-3080.