The Ministry of Education (MOE) on Friday said it was easing some of the COVID-19 restrictions pertaining to cram schools and after-school childcare centers in Taiwan, in view of the improving COVID-19 situation in the country.
Under the relaxation of COVID-19 prevention rules, the use of plastic dividers is no longer required during meal breaks, the MOE said, adding that the number of people allowed in classrooms is also being eased.
Currently, only one person is allowed per 2.25 square meters of open space, which does not include areas occupied by furniture.
With approval from the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), the ministry said the easing of restrictions mean that a cram school or after-school childcare center can now have up to 80 people in a room, although anything above 80 the 2.25 square-meter-per-person protocol will still need to be followed.
Friday’s announcement came after cram school operators complained about the strict requirements still being in place even after the CECC had already relaxed some COVID-19 restrictions for other types of businesses starting Monday.
Such businesses have been allowed to reopen, but with certain restrictions, since Taiwan lowered its COVID-19 alert to Level 2 on July 27.
On Friday, the MOE said the requirements on mask wearing and taking down the identification information of people at entrances will still remain in place.
Also on Friday, the ministry said Senior Citizen Active Learning Centers, which provide opportunities for elderly people to attend workshops and take part in various activities, are now allowed to hold wind instrument and cooking classes at their facilities due to Taiwan’s improving COVID-19 situation.
However, there are still certain restrictions, it said. Each wind instrument learning class will need to have a 15-minute recess every hour, while people attending cooking classes will still need to wear a face mask.
According to the MOE’s website, there are currently seven Senior Citizen Active Learning Centers in Taiwan, with one each in Taipei, New Taipei, Hsinchu County, Taichung, Chiayi County, Tainan City and Pingtung County.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel