As of today, April 1, all people taking public transport between cities in Taiwan will be asked to wear a facemask in an effort to further curb the spread of coronavirus. And yes, we know what date it is, but this is in no way an April fools post…
According to CNA, in a statement from Minister of Transport Lin Jialong, all travelers taking intercity buses and trains will be asked to put on masks before boarding, while those entering stations will have their temperatures taken. Those who are feverish (temperature exceeding 37.5 Celsius) will be turned away. (Read more: Taiwan’s facemask rationing website is now available in English)
This ramp up in regulations wisely comes ahead of the travel rush expected to come with the approaching Qingming public holiday. At the time of writing, Taiwan has 322 cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), with the most recent local case being a Taipei university student. (Read more: 6 Holidays in Taiwan You Should Know About)
As it stands, we are unsure on whether those not wearing or refusing to wear masks will be denied access to public transport. However, according to Liberty Times Net, this may well be the case in certain cities. We suggest that you play your part in fighting the virus by wearing a mask while traveling, regardless of whether you feel like you need to or not.
New social distancing regulations have also been suggested, with people at large outdoor gatherings being recommended to stay one meter apart from other people and one-and-a-half meters away at indoor events. Easier said than done, especially on a busy rush hour metro…
