A substantial majority people yesterday continued to wear masks on public transport, despite it being the first day that masks were no longer required nationwide on buses, trains and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) systems.
A doctor yesterday said it could take about three months for many people to psychologically adjust to feeling safe without a mask on public transit.
The mandate has been replaced with “suggested use,” and also applies to school buses and commercial airlines, as announced by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) on Apr. 7.
Photo: Lo Pei-de, Taipei Times
After 1,111 days of mandatory mask wearing on public transportation, the vast majority of passengers appear to have become accustomed to the practice, as per witness accounts on Taipei’s buses and MRT system.
Humans are social beings prone to following group behaviors in a “herding” manner, which evolutionarily has helped individuals avoid risk, Tri-Service General Hospital deputy superintendent and Department of Psychiatry attending physician Yeh Chin-bin (葉?斌) said.
Taiwanese continue to wear masks for a few reasons, including fear of contracting COVID-19 given that infections continue to be reported, Yeh said, adding that the flu is also a consideration.
Another reason could be appearance anxiety, as people have become accustomed to concealing their appearance and emotions with a mask, and many people might feel less confident about going out without a face covering, he said.
Some people might also have emotional issues that combine either with appearance or disease anxieties, he added.
Separately, the Taipei Department of Transportation yesterday said it recommends that passengers wear masks in taxis and on public transportation, especially when around older people and those who might be immunocompromised.
Masks are still required to be worn in healthcare facilities and in ambulances, the CECC said.
Healthcare facilities include hospitals, medical clinics, pharmacies, medical laboratories, physical and occupational therapy clinics, long-term care facilities, senior welfare facilities, veterans’ homes, children and youth service facilities, and disability service facilities.
Taipei and New Taipei City government officials are aiming to have the first phase of the Wanhua-Jungho-Shulin Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line completed and opened by 2027, following the arrival of the first train set yesterday. The 22km-long Light Green Line would connect four densely populated districts in Taipei and New Taipei City: Wanhua (萬華), Jhonghe (中和), Tucheng (土城) and Shulin (樹林). The first phase of the project would connect Wanhua and Jhonghe districts, with Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Chukuang (莒光) being the terminal stations. The two municipalities jointly hosted a ceremony for the first train to be used
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