The current Level 2 COVID-19 alert has been extended for another two weeks to Oct. 4, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Sunday.
Taiwan has been under the Level 2 alert since July 27, and it was to expire on Sept. 20 before the CECC announced a two-week extension for a fourth time.
Under the Level 2 alert, people need to wear a face mask when they are outside their residence, and the number of people attending indoor and outdoor gatherings will remain capped at 80 and 300 people, respectively, according to the CECC.
Social distancing rules will also still be in place for businesses and public spaces, CECC said, and certain entertainment venues, such as dance halls, bars, clubs and KTV parlors, will still not be allowed to open.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economic Affairs announced a set of new rules on holding conventions and trade fairs, which require organizers to submit a disease prevention plan to local governments three weeks before the scheduled event.
The rules also require at least 60 percent of the people working at an event to have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot, and all of them must show a negative COVID-19 test or their vaccination record when entering the site, according to the CECC.
Cynthia Kiang (???), director-general of the Bureau of Foreign Trade, said the ministry has been offering event organizers subsidies to help pay for their operations and employee salaries during the three-month period between July and September.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel