TAIWAN REPORTS ZERO NEW DOMESTIC CASES, RELAXES MASK MANDATE

TAIPEI, Oct 3 — Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Centre (CECC) on Sunday reported zero new domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases, adding that Taiwan’s outdoor face mask mandate would be partially relaxed.

Sunday marked the fourth consecutive day of zero new domestic cases reported in Taiwan, and the second straight day with no deaths, Central news agency (CNA) reported CECC data said.

Taiwan reported six new imported cases, however, involving two Taiwanese and four foreign national.

All six had arrived in Taiwan recently and tested positive during quarantine, the CECC said.

As for the mandatory wearing of face masks, Health and Welfare Minister Chen Shih-chung said that from Tuesday people would no longer need to wear masks in certain outdoor areas if they could stay socially distanced.

CNA added that Individuals in the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and animal husbandry sectors that work in open spaces, such as fields and fish ponds, as well as people visiting forests and beaches, will not be required to wear masks if social distancing can be maintained.

They would still have to carry a mask with them, however, as they still need to wear masks if there is a sudden surge in crowds, Chen said.

To date, Taiwan has confirmed a total of 16,250 COVID- 19 cases, of which 14,417 are domestic infections reported since May 15, when the country first recorded more than 100 cases in a single day.

With no new deaths reported Sunday for the second consecutive day, the number of confirmed COVID-19 fatalities in the country remained at 843, with all but 12 recorded since May 15, CECC data showed.

— BERNAMA