Stay updated with breaking news from Pingsi district. Get real-time updates on events, politics, business, and more. Visit us for reliable news and exclusive interviews.
Virus Outbreak: Cluster led to festival cancelation By Shelley Shan / Staff reporter Dramatic developments in the spread of COVID-19 in Taiwan in the past 10 days led to the government’s decision to cancel the Taiwan Lantern Festival in Hsinchu City, Minister of Transportation and Communication Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said yesterday. The Executive Yuan canceled the flagship tourism event one day after Lin told reporters that the annual festival should proceed, despite a cluster COVID-19 infections at the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Taoyuan General Hospital causing an increase in the number of domestic cases. “Even though there has yet to be a massive community infection, the cluster infection at the hospital has come to a critical point, as it has begun to affect some residents in the community. It is possible that the disease could spread further. As such, we support and agree with the Hsinchu City Government’s decision to cancel the event, and ....
CECC advises canceling large holiday events By Lee I-chia / Staff reporter The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) strongly advises event organizers to postpone or cancel large public events if they cannot strictly conduct a risk assessment and make a comprehensive plan for implementing disease prevention measures, Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) said yesterday. As the Lunar New Year holiday is approaching and many celebrations are being prepared, the CECC must remind people to remain vigilant, said Chen, who heads the center. “Mass gatherings are usually packed with large crowds for extended periods, and people can easily come into close contact with other people, so there is a high risk of disease transmission,” Chen said. “COVID-19 prevention would become highly difficult if a suspected case or a cluster of infections occurs at one of the events.” ....
Cycling Shorts: Rivers, railways & old streets Training in New Taipei City’s Pingsi District with Leo Huang before his Bhutan adventure By Mark Caltonhill / Contributing reporter Today’s ride was recommended by Leo Huang (黃博駿), a 31-year-old resident of the Sijhih District (汐止) in New Taipei City. Five years ago, Huang, then a dedicated meat-lover with plenty more beef, pork and seafood dishes left on his “culinary bucket list,” challenged himself to give up meat. That was hard enough, he says, though he is now part-owner of a vegetarian restaurant that focuses on “showing meat-eaters that tasty alternatives are available.” His new challenge for this year is the Tour of the Dragon, a 255km bike race traversing four mountain passes in Bhutan, all at high altitude. ....