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Lawrence Chung

Taiwan is reimposing social distancing and mask rules as it grapples with an outbreak of coronavirus cases after months of no local infections.
Health Minister Chen Shih-chung rang the alarm bell on Tuesday after two new local clusters were identified – in addition to a previous group linked to the travel industry.
One of the new clusters involved five people – four employees and a regular customer of the Galaxy Baccarat amusement arcade in Yilan county, according to the Central Epidemic Command Centre.
The other new “cluster” involved a member of the Lions Club in New Taipei City, the centre said.
The source of infections were not known.
In addition, the centre reported another case linked to the China Airlines and Novotel airport hotel cluster.
Taiwan to send China Airlines pilots into quarantine in bid to stop Covid-19 outbreak
The new infections on Tuesday took the number of community transmissions since April 20 to 42.
The centre said the people in the clusters had visited many places before they tested positive for the coronavirus, raising the risk of further community transmission.
“As there are different local clusters, we are no longer on the verge of community transmission, but in the [first stage] of community transmission,” Chen said in Taipei.
He said that under such circumstances, the island had to reinstate strict restrictions on large gatherings and the public needed to observe all social distancing and hand sanitation requirements or face heavy fines.
“For the time being, these restrictions will be imposed from today until June 8,” Chen said.

nder the restrictions, businesses will have to monitor customer flows to maintain social distancing and the public are required to wear masks in all public areas and on public transport.
Hospital patients and residents of long-term care facilities will also not be able to have visitors for the next four weeks, according to the centre.
Some concerts have been cancelled until further notice but it was not clear if popular sporting events would be postponed.
Until Tuesday, Taiwan was one of the few parts of the world where big concerts and sporting events, among other gatherings, were allowed.
Coronavirus: Chinese province delays quarantine cuts after Taiwan case surge
Taiwan had been widely praised for its success in containing Covid-19 over the past year.
As of Tuesday, Taiwan had reported 1,210 cases of the disease and 12 deaths since the pandemic started.
The pandemic is on the agenda of a virtual meeting of the World Health Assembly later this month and the island appealed to the World Health Organization to allow it to take part. But the registration deadline passed on Monday without an invitation being issued.
On Tuesday, Taiwanese foreign ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou criticised Beijing for blocking Taiwan’s bid.
Taiwan was ousted from the United Nations body in 1972 – a year after it was expelled from the UN and Beijing joined.
After a long campaign, it rejoined as a WHA observer in 2009, helped by the island’s then president Ma Ying-jeou’s policy of engaging Beijing.
But that status was revoked in 2016 when Tsai Ing-wen was elected president and refused to accept the one-China principle.
Since then, Beijing – which claims sovereignty over Taiwan and is influential in the WHO – has maintained that Taipei can only take part with its consent. And as tensions mount across the Taiwan Strait, that consent has not been forthcoming.


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Coronavirus pandemic

Taiwan back on coronavirus alert as local clusters grow

Taiwan has reintroduced mask rules as it tries to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Photo: AP

epa08403994 Taiwan Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung listens during a press briefing with foreign journalists about the current measures and status in the fight aagainst coronavirus and COVID-19 in Taipei, Taiwan, 06 May 2020. Medical experts are rushing to develop a vaccine for the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, and are advising people to practice social distancing and proper hygiene. EPA-EFE/RITCHIE B. TONGO

Taiwan to send China Airlines pilots into quarantine in bid to stop Covid-19 outbreak

A Covid-19 outbreak in Taiwan has been linked to China Airlines pilots and an airport hotel where many of them stayed. Photo: Handout

Taiwan health minister is not god, premier says after Covid-19 cluster

Chen Shih-chung, Taiwan’s health minister, has been criticised over the latest cases. Photo: EPA-EFE

Coronavirus: Chinese province delays quarantine cuts after Taiwan case surge

Taoyuan airport employees receive Covid-19 vaccination. Photo: CNA

epa09176950 Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen reacts during the opening of the CYBERSEC 2021, in Taipei, Taiwan, 04 May 2021. The cybersecurity conference event organizers are expecting over 8,000 cybersecurity professionals to attend various cybersecurity forums and exhibitions from 4-6 May, to discuss critical issues, including threat defense, policy management, industry development, and talent cultivation, in a concerted effort to fight against cybersecurity threat. EPA-EFE/RITCHIE B. TONGO

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The island reintroduces social distancing and mask rules after two new groups of cases emerge
Taiwan in the first stage of community transmission, health minister says



The island reintroduces social distancing and mask rules after two new groups of cases emerge.


Coronavirus China

Taiwan

Coronavirus Taiwan

Taiwan back on coronavirus alert as local clusters grow

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} The island reintroduces social distancing and mask rules after two new groups of cases emerge Taiwan in the first stage of community transmission, health minister says

The island reintroduces social distancing and mask rules after two new groups of cases emerge

Taiwan in the first stage of community transmission, health minister says