TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The government is considering allowing young people up to the age of 19 years enter 22 amusement parks free of charge in July and August, reports said Friday (June 5).

The Ministry of Transportation, which oversees the tourism sector, was preparing to announce next week that all young people up to the age of 19, including those graduating from senior high school this year, would be allowed to visit the parks an unlimited number of times, CNA reported. The scheme is part of the government’s efforts to boost the travel sector after the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Previous projects only included children 12 years or younger, partly because they would have to be accompanied by adults paying full fare, but Transportation Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) reportedly insisted that high school students should also benefit from free tickets this time.

Due to the coronavirus, school trips and other outdoor activities have been canceled, so to make up for it, students should be allowed to visit amusement parks free of charge, the minister reportedly argued. 

The final decision will probably allow those born July 1, 2001 and after to benefit from the free entrance program, according to the CNA report.