CECC announces epidemic prevention & control measures for year-end/New Year countdown events

According to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), as the pandemic has continued to subside and the situation is under control in Taiwan, after discussions with relevant agencies and assessments, the CECC announced on November 30 that it will maintain the Level 2 epidemic alert, effective from November 30 to December 13. Details about adjustments to related regulations and general principles are listed below.

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Nationwide epidemic alert to remain at Level 2 from November 30 to December 13. (Photo / Provided by the CECC)

1. The current mask-wearing rule, which requires masks to be worn at all times when outside, remains unchanged with the exceptions listed below (not changed).
2. 
   In the following situations, people are not required to wear a mask, but they should carry a mask with them. Masks are still required if COVID-19 symptoms are present and social distancing cannot be maintained.
   1. When exercising or singing indoors or outdoors;
   2. When taking individual/group photos indoors and outdoors;
   3. When livestreaming, filming, moderating an event, reporting news, delivering remarks, giving a speech, lecturing, or during activities or events involving conversations with others;
   4. When people in the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and animal husbandry sectors work in open spaces (such as farm fields, fish ponds, forests and mountains);
   5.When people are in forests/mountains (including forest recreation areas) and on the beach;
   6. When people are in hot/cold springs, dry sauna rooms, spas, steam rooms, saunas, during water activities, or in venues where masks can get wet easily.
   
   b. Masks may be removed when consuming food/beverages.
   
   c. Masks may be temporarily removed for venues or activities that comply with the CECC’s or competent authority’s epidemic prevention regulations

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People need to abide by the epidemic prevention regulations announced by the CECC. (Photo / Provided by the CECC)

1. Commercial business venues and public venues should implement contact information registration, take temperatures, enhance disinfection of premises, carry out health management among staff, and implement timely responses to the occurrence of confirmed cases.
   
   The CECC pointed out that in response to the threat posed by the new variant Omicron, strict disease prevention and management measures should be followed and harsh penalties may be imposed for any violation as related large events tend to attract crowds, with people standing or sitting in close proximity to random people for extended periods of time. Event organizers and the public must abide by the precautions and measures listed below.
2. 
   Event organizers should abide by level 2 alert measures announced by the CECC and related disease prevention regulations of local governments for large-scale events.
   a. Event organizers shall provide ample supplies of hand sanitization products, clean and sanitize public restrooms more frequently, and have medical responsive measures in place.
   b. Except for within designated food vendor areas, no sales of food or beverages in the venue.
   c. No standing tickets shall be sold for indoor events; event organizers shall implement contact information registration, designate fixed entrances, and take participants' temperature and disinfect their hands before they enter the venue.
   
   B. Participants shall wear a mask all the time throughout the event and shall not consume food except for the purpose of staying hydrated.
3. 
   Persons moderating, performing, or delivering remarks are not required to wear a mask when filming or doing the above activities. The exemption that a mask is not required when eating (for the purpose of staying hydrated not included) or taking photos does not apply to other individuals and participants.
   b. Event organizers may set up a designated eating area where participants can remove their mask to eat with the approval of local governments. The area should implement contact information registration and take participants' temperatures and disinfect their hands. Eating while walking and free food sampling are not allowed.
   c. Those who refuse to comply with the above regulations after being advised are subject to penalties imposed by local governments according to the Communicable Disease Control Act.

People under home quarantine or home isolation, people subjected to self-health management, and people (event performers and staff included) who are experiencing suspected symptoms, including a fever, respiratory symptoms, diarrhea, and an abnormal sense of smell and taste may not attend related events. Violators will be subject to a heavier penalty.