Taiwan tightens restrictions after COVID-19 cases rise

Early and effective prevention steps succeeded in shielding the country from the worst of the pandemic, with just 1,231 infections reported so far.

Taiwanese cities are tightening restrictions on access to public venues like gyms and librarie safter a rare rise in domestic infections that has spooked the stock market and unnerved the island. Early and effective prevention steps, including largely closing its borders, succeeded in shielding Taiwan from the worst of the pandemic. It has reported just 1,231 infections sofar. But markets and the government have been on edge sincerenewed domestic outbreaks began late last month, with 16 newdomestic cases announced on Wednesday setting a record dailyhigh.