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Taiwan keeps border controls despite fall in Covid-19 cases, citing Delta variant
- Spread of the variant in many countries still requires ‘current stringency of our border control’, Health Minister Chen Shih-chung says
- Island records eight new infections on Monday, as its recent outbreak continues to recede
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Taiwan has no plans to ease or lift its border restrictions despite a sharp drop in the island’s Covid-19 infections, its health minister said on Monday.
Citing the rapid spread of the coronavirus’ Delta variant in various parts of the world, Taiwanese Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said it was too early to reopen borders to visitors.
“As the Delta variant has remained rampant in many countries in the world, there is a need to maintain the current stringency of our border control and strict control of international and domestic flights,” Chen said in a statement following a meeting of the self-ruled island’s cabinet.
Monday’s meeting, led by Premier Su Tseng-chang, discussed Taiwan’s handling of the coronavirus and the curbing of its recent outbreak.
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The global spread of the highly contagious Delta variant of Covid-19
The global spread of the highly contagious Delta variant of Covid-19
The island has been fighting a spike in cases since late April – its worst outbreak since the pandemic began – but the situation has been brought under control after health authorities imposed soft lockdown measures.
Lawrence Chung covers major news in Taiwan, ranging from presidential and parliament elections to killer earthquakes and typhoons. Most of his reports focus on Taiwan’s relations with China, specifically on the impact and possible developments of cross-strait relations under the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party and mainland-friendly Kuomintang governments. Before starting work at the South China Morning Post in 2006, he wrote for Reuters and AFP for more than 12 years.
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