TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A member of staff at the Taiwanese embassy in Honduras tested positive for COVID-19, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has announced, following a visit to the Central American ally by Vice President Lai Ching-te (賴清德).

Lai represented President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) at the Jan. 27 inauguration of Honduras’ new president, Xiomara Castro. He also met U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. 

In a news release on Tuesday (Feb. 1), MOFA said the embassy employee is resting in home quarantine, and consular services are continuing by appointment only. Individuals with urgent business are welcome to contact the embassy to set up an appointment, MOFA said. 

A member of staff at the Taiwan office in Peru has also been infected with COVID, according to the ministry.

Due to the spread of the Omicron variant in the region, MOFA said it is maintaining close contact with its embassies and representative offices to provide the necessary assistance.

While the news release did not mention Lai’s recent visit to Honduras, TVBS reported that it is not yet clear whether the infected staff member had any contact with the vice president’s entourage during his stay in the country.