TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Despite the newly relaxed regulations, many passengers on public transport systems were still hesitant to take their masks off on Monday (April 17), more than three years after the mask mandates were put in place.
Indoor face mask mandates had been lifted on Feb. 20, but the general public still had to wear face masks when taking the bus or MRT until yesterday.
Some explained that they have already made wearing face masks a habit, while others pointed out that if someone is visibly coughing or sneezing beside them, they would still choose to keep their masks on.
The head of the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), Wang Pi-sheng, remarked that wearing face masks is only "advised" as opposed to being mandatory in the past.
However, mask mandates remain in hospitals, long-term care facilities, ambulances, and pharmacies.
As the pandemic situation stabilizes in Taiwan, the government is gradually leaving the choice of whether or not to wear face masks to the general public.