TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (衛福部疾管署, CDC) announced on Wednesday (May 8) that starting May 19, the mandatory mask mandate in medical institutions and elderly care facilities will shift to a recommendation.
This marks the official end of the nationwide mask mandate, signaling a significant step towards normalcy in Taiwan's public health policy.
CDC Deputy Director Tseng Shu-hui (曾淑慧) stated that from May 19, these institutions will fully adopt the mask recommendation, eliminating the compulsory aspect.
Tseng emphasized the adjustment of COVID-19 related infection control measures, including recommendations for the public and healthcare workers on mask-wearing, and the introduction of guidelines for preventing respiratory infections when entering medical care facilities.
The lifting of the mask mandate coincides with the day before President-elect Lai Ching-te's official inauguration, marking a symbolic return to pre-pandemic life.
The CDC underscores the importance of maintaining good personal hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing with soap and adhering to cough etiquette, even as mask regulations are relaxed. They also urge the public to actively get vaccinated against COVID-19 to ensure community health and safety.