TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Mega City department store in New Taipei City’s Banqiao District was closed Saturday (Aug. 28) after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.

The New Taipei City Government was conducting an investigation. However, the individual had not been confirmed as a COVID case by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), CNA reported.

The staff member took leave after Aug. 26 as she felt unwell. A PCR test she applied for of her own accord turned out positive. As a result, the large shopping center near Banqiao’s Mass Rapid Transit, high speed rail and train station decided to close down Saturday for disinfection.

More than 1,500 employees were called up to undergo quick COVID testing, while the mall could only reopen on Sunday (Aug. 29) if the tests could be completed in time and no positive test results were found, a report said.

Over the past few months, several department stores and shopping malls across the Taipei region have been hit by COVID transmissions, with sales assistants most often infected. Mega City forms part of the Far Eastern Group, which also manages Sogo and Far Eastern department stores.