TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Masks will no longer be required at Taiwan's medical and elder care institutions starting Sunday (May 19).

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended masks at medical institutions even without the requirement. It told citizens to maintain personal hygiene habits such as frequent hand washing and covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing. 

Since the COVID pandemic in 2020, a mask mandate has been in place in eight major categories of locations, including medical institutions. Gradually, mandates have been lifted one by one, per CNA.

The CDC recommends mask-wearing at medical institutions, especially for those infected with a respiratory disease or experience symptoms such as fever, runny nose, coughing, or sneezing. Infants and young children under two years old, or people unable to wear masks due to physical or psychological factors, should use paper tissue to cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.