Nationwide epidemic alert to remain at Level 2 until January 10, what are measures & precautions for New Year celebrations?

According to Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), in response to the threat posed by the Omicron variant, after discussions with relevant agencies and assessments, CECC announced on December 27 that it will maintain the Level 2 epidemic alert, effective from December 28 to January 10. Related regulations remain unchanged and are listed below.

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CECC also announced relevant epidemic prevention and regulations. (Photo / Provided by CECC)

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).

1. In the following situations, people are not be 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.
7. Masks may be removed when consuming food/beverages.
8. 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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Epidemic prevention measures and precautions for New Year celebrations and large-scale events are released. (Photo / Retrieved from Pixabay)

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 reiterates that the public should follow epidemic prevention measures and precautions for year-end/New Year's Eve celebrations and large-scale events as this year is nearing its end.

1. Event organizers should abide by level 2 alert measures announced by the CECC and related disease prevention regulations of the local government for large-scale events.
2. Event organizers shall provide ample supplies of hand sanitization products, clean and sanitize public restrooms more frequently, and have medical responsive measures in place.
3. Except for within designated food service areas, no sales of food or beverages in the venue.
4. No standing tickets shall be sold for indoor events; event organizers shall implement contact information registration, arrange fixed entrances, and take participants' temperature, and disinfect their hands before they enter the venue.

Participants shall wear a mask all the time throughout the event and shall not consume food except for the purpose of staying hydrated.

1. Persons moderating, performing, or delivering remarks are not required to wear a mask when filming or doing the above activities. The exemptions a mask is not required when eating (for the purpose of staying hydrated not included) or taking photos, or in other situations don't apply to other individuals and participants.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. People under home quarantine or home isolation, people subjected to self-health management, and people who are experiencing suspected symptoms, including a fever, respiratory symptoms, diarrhea, and an abnormal sense of smell and taste (event performers and staff included) may not attend such events. Violators will be penalized heavily.