The Central Epidemic Command Center announced yesterday that if the epidemic continues to slow down, public transportation will be exempt from wearing masks as soon as April 17.

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[Reporter Wu Liangyi/Taipei Report] The local epidemic of pneumonia in Wuhan is slowing down. The Central Epidemic Command Center announced yesterday that if the epidemic continues to slow down, the regulations on "no masks on public transport" will be relaxed on April 17 at the earliest. Masks are still required to be worn throughout medical and long-term care institutions.

Command Center Commander Wang Bisheng explained yesterday that the domestic natural infection rate has reached nearly 45%, and it is estimated that the actual rate has exceeded 70%. At least 50% of the elderly over the age of 65 have received four doses of Wuhan pneumonia vaccine. Compared with February, the immune protection has been improved, and no highly threatening mutant strains have been detected, "enough to support the loosening of public transportation masks."

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After the measure of exempting the wearing of masks indoors was introduced on February 20, most people still wear masks on their own.

Wang Bisheng said: "The people should be given the right to make their own decisions."

However, masks are still required to be worn at all times in medical care, long-term care institutions and ambulances. For special conditions such as cold symptoms, the elderly, low immunity, crowds and public transportation, it is "recommended" to wear masks, school buses, kindergarten special vehicles, campuses The shuttle bus also changed from the requirement to wear a mask to "recommended to wear a mask" similar to public transportation, which was also implemented on April 17.