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Taiwan’s low coronavirus vaccination rate under scrutiny as it battles spike in cases
- Health expert says island will remain vulnerable to the virus unless more people get immunised
- A record 333 locally transmitted infections were reported on Monday and new restrictions have been imposed
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Taiwan has been praised for its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, but health experts say a low vaccination rate could put its earlier success at risk as the island faces its worst outbreak so far.
In the last three days, 719 locally transmitted cases have been reported – almost 10 times the number of local infections at the end of January. Monday alone saw a record 333 new local cases.
Health authorities have restricted indoor gatherings to five people and outdoor gatherings to 10 in Taipei and neighbouring New Taipei City until May 28, but stopped short of a lockdown.
Bars, nightclubs, cinemas, gyms, libraries and other entertainment venues and recreational facilities have been closed since Friday.
On Monday Health Minister Chen Shih-chung announced that schools in the greater Taipei area would also be shut for two weeks from Tuesday, and an entry ban for non-residents including transit visitors will be imposed from Wednesday until June 19.
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Panic buying in Taiwan as new Covid-19 rules imposed amid spike in coronavirus infections
Panic buying in Taiwan as new Covid-19 rules imposed amid spike in coronavirus infections
The spike in cases since last month has tested the island’s ability to contain the virus, but it has also put its vaccination programme under scrutiny.
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