TAIPEI (TVBS News) — After the pandemic sent sales crashing over the past two years, night markets in Taiwan have aimed to attract customers to their stalls with flashy signboards and renovations.
In addition to Shilin Night Market's latest 3D signboard, the Guangzhou Street Night Market in Wanhua took the time to renovate the area, installing more electric wires underground and numbering the stalls.
The move is aimed to make the market more visible to visitors at night and help them quickly find their favorite food vendors.
Night markets, known for facilitating a closer-knit community among locals, may expect more customers today as the Taiwanese government further relaxes restrictions.
As the pandemic situation stabilizes in Taiwan, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) has also relaxed restrictions.
"From last December until the amendment on July 29 this year, eating while strolling through night markets was prohibited; the restriction has since been removed from the new (regulations) version," announced Lo Yi-chun, deputy division director of the CECC's Emergency Response Group.
The CECC explained that though it's no longer an enforced regulation, local governments and night market communities can adjust their regulations accordingly as they see fit.
With Taiwan reopening visa-free entry to select countries, night markets can expect more customers in the near future.