Taxi drivers are starved for customers, weddings are suddenly canceled, schools are closed, and restaurant service is restricted across much of Asia as the coronavirus makes a resurgence in countries where it had seemed to be well under control. Sparsely populated Mongolia has seen its death toll soar from 15 to 233, while Taiwan, considered…
Huizhong Wu And Zen Soo
Students wearing face masks to protect against the spread of the coronavirus walk past a closed primary school after the COVID-19 alert raise to level 3 in Taipei, Taiwan, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying) May 19, 2021 - 12:12 AM
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) â Taxi drivers are starved for customers, weddings are suddenly canceled, schools are closed, and restaurant service is restricted across much of Asia as the coronavirus makes a resurgence in countries where it had seemed to be well under control.
Sparsely populated Mongolia has seen its death toll soar from 15 to 233, while Taiwan, considered a major success in battling the virus, has recorded more than 1,000 cases since last week and placed over 600,000 people in two-week medical isolation.
Over 600K Quarantined in Taiwan As COVID Cases Take Significant Rise
By Rebecca Klapper
On 5/19/21 at 9:54 AM EDT
Taiwan seemed to have the coronavirus pandemic under control, but is now seeing a resurgence in cases, including 1,200 new cases in the past week that have seen over 600,000 people placed in quarantine.
Epidemiologist Chen Chien-jen told the Associated Press the surge of new cases is linked to the more easily transmissible variant of the virus that was first identified in Britain. Chen is Taiwan s former vice president and led the pandemic response last year.
In efforts to control the outbreak, restrictions previously set only in Taipei expanded to the entire island on Wednesday. Schools, restaurants, gyms and other public venues were shut down. Gatherings of more than five people outdoors and 10 people indoors have also been banned.
By Press Association 2021
Commuters wear face masks and practise social distancing while onboard an underground train in Singapore (Zen Soo/AP)
New restrictions are being imposed across Asia as coronavirus makes a resurgence in countries where it had seemed to be well under control.
Sparsely populated Mongolia has seen its death toll soar from 15 to 233, while Taiwan, considered a major success in battling the virus, has recorded more than 1,000 cases since last week and placed over 600,000 people in two-week medical isolation.
Hong Kong and Singapore have postponed a quarantine-free travel bubble for a second time after an outbreak in Singapore of uncertain origin.