Taiwan mandates 3 COVID shots for high-risk groups, venues
ROC Central News Agency
04/15/2022 09:09 PM
Taipei, April 15 (CNA) People considered to be at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 will have to show proof of three COVID-19 vaccine shots in order to work from April 22, amid a rise in the number of domestic cases in Taiwan, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Friday.
This includes medical workers, government officials assigned to disease control tasks and those whose jobs put them in more frequent contact with possible COVID-19 patients, the CECC said.
Taiwan on Friday reported 1,209 new domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases, breaking its single-day high for a third consecutive day.
The figures do not include imported cases reclassified as domestic ones, nor retroactively removed cases. As of April 15, Taiwan recorded 7,752 domestic cases in 2022, while the total number of imported cases rose to 9,448 from 2,375 on Dec. 31.
The CECC listed several locations where employees are now required to get booster shots in order to work -- including community colleges, high schools, elementary schools, preschools, short-term cram schools, learning centers for senior citizens, infant care centers, swimming pools and recreation/sports centers.
Other work locations where three vaccine shots will be mandatory include karaoke bars, video arcades, beauty salons, movie theaters, as well as wedding, conference and banquet venues, according to the CECC.
As these are also activities in which people may come into contact with strangers or may not be able to maintain social distancing, the booster shot requirement will also apply to visitors who are old enough to be vaccinated, it said.
As a result, anyone who goes to the gym, attends intercity religious events such as Dajia Mazu procession, and takes part in local tour groups arranged by travel agencies will be required to show proof of a third shot, the CECC said.
1. More doses of the Moderna and Pfizer-BNT vaccine have been administered in Taiwan than the government has officially received because recipients of the Moderna booster shot are given half the standard dose of the first and second jab, while medical workers can sometimes get more than the standard number of shots from a Pfizer-BNT vial. 2. Information about the booster dose and additional dose can be found at https://t.ly/4ZuW
As of April 14, 83.99 percent of people in Taiwan have received at least one COVID-19 shot, while 79.17 percent have gotten two doses and 53.85 percent have received a booster shot, the latest CECC data shows.
(By Chang Ming-hsuan and Lee Hsin-Yin)
Enditem/AW
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