Local governments in Taiwan have started requiring people to wear face masks at traditional markets, but compliance is not yet at 100%.

When taking a stroll through any of Taipei’s traditional markets, you’ll find that most people -- be they customers or vendors -- are wearing masks. They’re doing their part to fight the coronavirus pandemic. The Taipei City Government has posted flyers and notices urging the public to comply.

However, you’ll still find people without masks here. This vegetable vendor says she removed her mask in order to eat something and this man tells us he did the same.

Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center announced on April 10 that people must wear masks when visiting traditional or night markets in Taiwan. A flyer circulating online warns that beginning on April 22nd, anyone not wearing a mask in those places is subject to fines of up to NT$15,000 (about US$500).

In reality, that’s only relevant in Changhua County in central Taiwan. New Taipei City said it would begin handing out fines to maskless people in markets on April 8, but the city says there’s a grace period to help people get used to the new rules. 

Taiwan’s outlying Penghu Islands are even stricter. The local government there says that anyone walking outdoors before May 13 must wear a mask or face a NT$3,000 (or about US$100) fine.

Even without the fines, a majority of people are already following the rules.