The eased mask mandate took effect on Dec. 1. People are now allowed to go around maskless outside. However, some people are concerned that Taiwanese businesspersons in China may cause a new wave of infections after they return for the upcoming holidays.
Many people were exercising or strolling around this park on the morning of Dec. 1. The majority of them were still wearing masks. Those who had removed their masks were enjoying the sensation.
Ms. Liu, Resident: “If there's no one around me, then it's easier to breathe like this.”
Mr. Ying, Resident: “I'm not completely used to it yet, but relaxation is a good thing.”
The epidemic situation has improved, and the CECC announced that starting on Dec. 1, people will no longer be required to wear masks while outdoors. However, some people are concerned that cases are rising in China and that Taiwanese businesspersons living in China will bring the virus with them and cause a new wave of infections when they come home for the New Year or Lunar New Year. Health and Welfare Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan said the medical treatment capacity will be maintained and centralized quarantine facilities will be prepared.
Huang Li-min, Honorary Chair, Infectious Diseases Society of Taiwan: “There is now more contact with the outside world, especially human contact. That makes it easier for new variants to enter. The timing of the next wave will depend on when they come in, the amount that comes in, and which variants come in.”
Hsueh Jui-yuan, Health and Welfare Minister: “We are preparing by maintaining our medical treatment capacity. If something like this happens, we hope to make adjustments to the medical treatment capacity.”
The minister said people can still keep their masks on for an extra layer of defense if they have concerns, as flu and respiratory diseases are still circulating. Masks are still required for those aboard or waiting on outside platforms for trains and the high speed rail. Meanwhile, some temples are still requiring masks for entry to worship.
一早公園裡有不少人散步、做運動，多數民眾還是習慣戴口罩出門，只有少數民眾脫下口罩，享受一下新鮮的空氣。
民眾劉小姐認為：「距離旁邊沒有人的話，最好就是可以有比較好的空氣嘛。」
民眾應先生則坦言：「當然還是會有點不習慣嘛，但是總歸，有放寬都是一件好事嘛。」
新冠本土疫情趨緩，疫情指揮中心宣布，12月1日起戶外免強制戴口罩。不過外界擔憂，接下來有元旦和農曆春節連假，近期中國疫情升溫，台商返台過節，恐怕帶來另一波疫情。對此衛福部長薛瑞元表示，會維持醫療量能、整備集中檢疫所來做因應。
台灣感染症醫學會名譽理事長黃立民指出：「我們跟國外的來往越頻繁、人來人往越頻繁，這個新的病毒株就越容易一直進來。那新的病毒株進來，是下一波疫情的關鍵啦。何時進來？那進來的多寡？是哪一型進來？這個就決定下一波疫情到底是什麼時候會上來。」
衛福部長薛瑞元表示：「我們的因應的措施主要是放在，就是說維持醫療的量能。如果說，有可能發生這樣子，那我們希望就是說，在醫療量能部分去做調整。」
薛瑞元強調，民眾如果覺得不放心，還是可以戴口罩，畢竟社區還是有流感、上呼吸道傳染病，戴口罩會多一層防護。但是搭乘台鐵、高鐵，即使在戶外月台等車，也不能脫下口罩。至於宮廟有些屬於半開放式，例如雲林朝天宮仍然規定戴口罩才能進廟參拜，避免人潮眾多，以降低感染風險。
