Organizations and troupes wanting to book one of the more than 1,400 city-run public facilities in Taipei would be offered a 50 percent discount on venue fees over the next six months, as of Sunday, and outdoor spaces on school campuses would reopen to the public on June 13, the Taipei City Government said yesterday.
“The city hopes the move would encourage art and cultural exhibitions and performances, as well as community activities,” Taipei Deputy Mayor Vivian Huang (黃珊珊) told a news conference, adding that the offer would be good through Dec. 6.
The decision to reopen school campuses to the public had been made after discussions on Tuesday with the Taipei Department of Education officials, schools and parents, she said.
The original plan was to reopen campuses after summer vacation starts on July 15, but as the local COVID-19 situation is under control and the plum rain season is over, many residents have said they would like to exercise or take walks on campuses, especially in the evenings, Taipei Department of Education Chief Secretary Chen Su-hui (陳素慧) said.
So the decision was made to open the campuses starting on the first Saturday after the central government loosens its COVID-19 prevention regulations, she said.
As campus auditoriums or recreational centers are often rented for graduation ceremonies or other events, they would be made available if organizers can ensure that social distancing and real-name or contact registration would be enforced, no meal sharing and the areas would be disinfected before and after use, Chen said.
On July 15, 218 of the 236 Taipei municipal schools’ campuses would be opened to the public as before; some are to remain closed because they do not have sports fields or are a school for girls, she said.
Asked if the city government would offer any promotions in connection with the Executive Yuan’s “Triplicate Stimulus Coupons” launch next month, Huang said since details of the program were only announced on Tuesday, city officials need to discuss the issue.
The Taipei Department of Economic Development was expected draft plans next week, she said.
This summer might be the first time that Taiwanese students cannot travel abroad during their vacations, which could boost domestic tourism, so the city hopes to attract Taipei residents to make purchases in the city and people from outside the capital to visit, Huang said.
She was planning to use her coupons with her EasyCard, as it is one of the most convenient digital payment systems, but everyone has their own preferences and having choices is a good thing, she said.
Joking with reporters, Huang said that she hoped that everyone would engage in some “revenge spending” to release any pent-up stress caused by the pandemic.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The