Taiwan imposes toughest restrictions to battle spike in Covid cases

Taiwan's government has imposed its toughest restrictions so far, as the island tries to battle a spike in Covid-19 cases.

 

The authorities are shutting down cinemas and entertainment venues until 28 May, while limiting gatherings to five indoors and 10 outdoors.

 

President Tsai Ing-wen urged the public not to panic-buy basic necessities.

 

Taiwan, which has so far survived the pandemic almost unscathed, reported 207 new infections yesterday.

 

The island of 23 million people has recorded 1,682 infections and 12 Covid-related deaths since the start of the



pandemic.

 

Taiwan's impressive success battling the coronavirus has been largely attributed to early and strict border controls, a ban on foreign visitors and mandatory quarantine for all Taiwanese returning home.

 

The capital Taipei remains the main infections hotspot, forcing the city authorities to raise the coronavirus there to Level 3.

 

Taiwan has four Covid-19 response levels, and the Level 3 stops just short of lockdown, local media said.

 

This is unprecedented, as Taiwan has until now not had to resort to such restrictions since the outbreak began.