News
Shopping time limited at traditional markets
Courtesy of ICRT
Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center says shopping time at traditional markets will be limited to one hour in order to avoid overcrowding.
The move comes amid heightened concern that wet and night markets are emerging as coronavirus hot spots pretty much islandwide.
According to deputy economics minister Lin Chuan-neng, officials will be stationed at the entrances and exits of such markets and the government will also review their operating hours.
Lin says even tighter controls will be in place for smaller markets that can only accommodate a certain amount of people, including having shoppers leave their contact information and maintain social distancing.
And if necessary, officials may temporarily stop people from entering the markets and there will be more frequent police patrols to ban street vendors from operating near them.
In related news President Tsai Ing-wen is urging the public to remain at home during this coming weekend's Dragon Boat Festival holiday.
According to Tsai, people should choose not to travel for the sake of themselves and for their family members, especially elderly ones.
Tsai says she's recommending that people avoid all forms of gatherings and instead use online video platforms to chat with family members and wish them a happy holiday.
The president says both the Taiwan Railways Administration and the High Speed Rail have received large numbers of requests for ticket refunds, meaning many people have already chosen not to visit family members this coming weekend.
And writing on her Facebook page, Tsai added, zong-zi are "still delicious when you stay at home."
