New Year’s Day 結果共18筆

This year’s flu season during the Lunar New Year has been relatively mild, potentially due to higher flu vaccination rates and continued mask-wearing, according to Philip Lo, the Deputy Director-General and spokesperson for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Typically, flu cases surge before and after the Lunar New Year, with the second day of the new year being the busiest for emergency rooms. Despite higher numbers in recent years, this year’s figures are considered mild compared to the pre-pandemic period. On the second day of the Lunar New Year, 6,787 individuals sought emergency care for flu-like symptoms. In previous years, the corresponding numbers were 4,313 in 2023, 1,564 in 2022, 2,458 in 2021, 9,240 in 2020, and 7,983 in 2019. Lo emphasized the need to monitor the potential impact of large gatherings as schools reopen and the travel season begins. In terms of vaccine stock, there are still 82,000 doses of the flu vaccine available, along with 226,000 doses of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine and 4.38 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Lo urged eligible individuals to get vaccinated promptly to enhance their protection.

Experience the charm of Taichung’s Yichung Shopping District as it hosts a vibrant 17-day New Year’s market from Feb. 2 to Feb. 18. Enjoy street fairs, delicious food, and creative vendors in this top Taichung attraction.

Taiwan is expected to experience gloomy and rainy weather from the eve of the Lunar New Year on Thursday to New Year’s Day on Friday, according to meteorologist Peng Chi-ming. The weather is expected to improve from February 10 to February 12. Windward areas, including Taoyuan, Greater Taipei, Keelung’s North Coast, eastern parts of Yilan and Hualien, and the Hengchun Peninsula, are likely to receive rainfall due to the impact of the northeast monsoon. The central and southern mountainous areas may witness sporadic showers with more cloud coverage in the plains. The southwestern monsoon will intensify rainfall north of Taichung and in Yilan from Tuesday night until Wednesday, with the northern and northeastern mountainous areas receiving the most rain. The entire island will experience showers and heavy rain, especially in the central and northern regions, Yilan, and Hualien, between the eve of the Lunar New Year and New Year’s Day. Rainfall will gradually decrease from the evening of February 8, but showers may potentially occur throughout the day on February 9. The weather will gradually improve beginning on New Year’s Day, with the western half of Taiwan turning partly cloudy to sunny. However, the eastern half will still see an increased amount of clouds with occasional showers. Weather conditions are expected to enhance further from the second to the third day of the Lunar New Year, potentially resulting in clear skies in the western half and partly cloudy to clear skies in the eastern half. In terms of temperatures, the north, northeast, and mountain regions will experience the coldest weather on New Year’s Day, with lows between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius. The southern and eastern regions of Hualien and Taitung will have lows of 12 to 14 degrees, with temperatures slowly warming thereafter.

Prepare for cooler, rainy weather in northern Taiwan before Lunar New Year’s Eve, followed by clear skies from New Year’s Day through the fifth day of the new year. Temperatures will steadily drop, possibly dipping below 10 Celsius degrees as New Year’s Eve approaches, due to a cold air mass from the continent. Conditions will gradually improve to partly sunny with a chance of local brief rain in the eastern half of the island. Temperatures range from 12 to 19 degrees in the north, 13 to 25 in the central region, 16 to 29 in the south, and 15 to 26 in the east. On New Year’s Day, weather will turn clear and dry, but the morning of the next day will see temperatures fall to their lowest, with some flat areas experiencing temperatures below 10 degrees.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has received nearly 120,000 donations, amounting to over NT＄392 million for the ＂Noto Peninsula disaster relief fund.＂ Following a 7.6-magnitude earthquake on New Year’s Day 2024, the MOHW established a specialized account for aid and reconstruction efforts in Japan, which will accept donations until Friday. The Department of Social Assistance and Social Work, under the MOHW, has been accepting contributions since January 5. Donations can be made through convenience stores and bank transfers, and the collected funds will be handed over to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for disaster relief. To ensure transparency and facilitate tax purposes, the MOHW has created a service website where donors can provide their relevant information after making a contribution.

Taiwan’s health ministry has announced the establishment of the Center for Health Policy and Technology Assessment (CHPTA) with an investment of nearly NT＄200 million from the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA). The CHPTA aims to expedite the review process for newly insured drugs by implementing parallel reviews. Starting from New Year’s Day in 2024, the new system is expected to significantly shorten the time required for reviewing newly insured drugs from an average of 13 months to 6 months. Health Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan emphasized that national health insurance plays a stabilizing role in Taiwanese society and disapproved of major amendments, ruling out the possibility of a ＂third generation health insurance.＂ He also expressed the belief that drug pricing policies under the health insurance system need reform, making the launch of CHPTA a significant reform effort.

Discover the times for sunrise and sunset on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in Taiwan. The latest sunset on the main island will be at 5:24:49 p.m. at the ＂Chi-Ku＂ sea wall in Tainan City. On outlying islands, the latest sunset will occur at 5:29:16 p.m. on the L18 Stronghold beach on Lieyu island. As for the first glimmer of dawn’s light, it will appear at 6:32:32 a.m. on Taitung’s Orchid Island and at 6:35:02 a.m. at the Pingtung Hengchun Longkeng Ecological Reserve on the main island.

The Kaohsiung Circular Light Rail Transit has received permission to operate from the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) and will begin trial operations from January 1 to February 25, 2024. The C24 to C32 sections of the light rail have completed inspections and necessary adjustments, allowing for formal operations. Kaohsiung Deputy Mayor Lin Chin-rong expressed gratitude towards the MOTC and the city government team for their efforts in enabling the last sections to commence operations before year-end. With the launch of the C24 to C32 segments, the circular light rail will have 38 stations and stretch for 22.1 kilometers. To encourage citizens to use this new transportation route, the Mass Rapid Transit bureau will offer ＂Free Rides on all Light Rail Segments＂ from New Year’s Day until February 25, 2024.

WeatherRisk has reported that there will be generally cloudy weather in Taiwan due to the shift of clouds in the south. There may also be sporadic rainfall in the mountains of central and southern Taiwan. The impact of the continental cold air mass moving out to sea along the coast of China has weakened the cold air around Taiwan, causing minimal low temperatures to rise. The Liyu Lake in Hualien and Luye Township in Taitung recorded temperatures of 11 and 12.4 degrees Celsius, respectively. The continued shift of clouds in the south might slightly increase the chance of rainfall in the central and southern regions, as well as affect the eastern areas with sporadic downpours. With no significant weather systems nearby, Taiwan will experience an increase in daytime temperatures under the influence of northeast to east winds. Northern regions will see temperatures of 23-26 degrees Celsius, while the central and southern regions will hover around 24-26 degrees Celsius. On Friday, environmental moisture will gradually decrease under the influence of the northeast monsoon, resulting in mostly cloudy weather with possible sporadic rainfall across Taiwan. Saturday, the start of the New Year holiday, will see a weakening of the northeast monsoon, raising the temperature and bringing mostly cloudy weather, with sporadic rainfall possible only in the eastern parts. However, Sunday will see a stronger northeast monsoon, leading to stable but cloudy weather with sporadic showers in eastern Taiwan. On New Year’s Day next Monday, Taiwan will experience generally sunny to cloudy weather under the influence of the northeast monsoon, with no significant chance of rain. The general public is advised to consider this weather information when planning holiday activities.

The Transportation Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government (TBKC) has announced plans to regulate traffic around 10 major tourist spots in anticipation of the increased activities expected for the New Year’s holiday season. Measures will be implemented based on the transportation status on the day, with the aim of ensuring smooth traffic flow during the annual New Year’s Eve party in Kaohsiung and the New Year’s Eve fireworks show at Eda World. TBKC has released a guide on Facebook outlining phased road controls, entry routes, and parking plans, while also imposing stricter rules against illegal parking and towing in surrounding areas. To effectively disperse crowds, the Kaohsiung Metro (KRTC), circular light rail (LRT), and railway system will increase their services and operating hours. Residents are advised to check radio broadcasts and real-time online traffic updates before leaving home and are recommended to use public transportation like the metro instead of driving.

Witness the first rays of the New Year’s Day sunrise at the Sanxiantai Recreation Area in Cheng-kung Town, Taitung County. Join the sunrise walk event organized by the Chenggong Township Office or visit the Millennium Dawn Memorial Park in Taimali Township. Despite 23 years without a sunrise sighting, Taimali remains a popular destination for sunrise enthusiasts. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking natural views and welcome the new year in these beautiful locations.

Starting Jan. 1, 2024, taxis from the Taipei Songshan Airport will charge a $50 stay service fee, aligning with fees at Taoyuan and Kaohsiung airports. This decision, made following evaluations by the taxi fare review committees of Taipei and New Taipei cities, aims to address rigorous competition and rising operational costs in the industry. Passengers traveling through the airport, also known as Taipei International Airport, should take note of the new transportation cost changes, especially during peak travel periods such as New Year’s Day, the Lunar New Year, and the 228 holidays. The airport authorities have urged scheduled taxi operators to provide quality service and inform passengers about the fee change through verbal explanations and in-vehicle signs. Additionally, the airport offers free parking for the first 30 minutes, providing some relief for those being dropped off by family members.

The Chiayi City Government has announced a subsidy program for pregnant women using taxi services, in an effort to create a more pregnancy-friendly environment and counteract the city’s declining birthrate. Starting from New Year’s Day, the subsidies for expectant mothers’ taxi rides will increase from NT＄2,800 to NT＄4,500, with a maximum subsidy per ride rising from NT＄100 to NT＄150. The program now includes travel for any medical visits, as long as the rides are with designated fleets to and from medical institutions. The validity of the transportation tickets has also been extended to include the first three months following the infant’s birth. The policy is targeted at Chiayi locals and former immigrant mothers whose spouses are registered residents of Chiayi. Additionally, Chiayi has introduced plans to provide emotional support, parenting guidance, legal counseling, and financial aid to pregnant women under 20.

Eslite Xinyi Store, an iconic cultural institution in Taipei, set a new record with 53,000 visitors in a single day, surpassing New Year’s Eve crowds. The 18-year-old bookstore is closing its doors on December 24th, prompting a ＂Farewell Tour＂ exhibition showcasing its most-sold books and precious images. A final celebration on the closing day will feature a dance act by Billy Chang, an outdoor farewell concert with renowned artists, and a countdown with Chairman Wu Min-chieh. The legacy of the 24-hour bookstore will continue at Eslite Songyan Store, tripling its book volume, offering over 100,000 products, and introducing cultural spaces like a record store, cinema, performance hall, art gallery, and wine cellar.

Taroko Tears, a group for family members of those who died in the 2021 Hualien train derailment, is expressing incredulity at the Taiwan Railways Administration’s (TRA) dismissive attitude towards safety reform discussions. The TRA has repeatedly altered or canceled meetings with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ external oversight committee, raising concerns. The TRA’s upcoming transformation into a corporation on New Year’s Day has sparked skepticism and worry among Taroko Tears. The group has sought a seat on the TRA’s board to monitor safety reforms but was rejected due to a lack of professional expertise. Taroko Tears questions the ability of TRA board members to lead substantial improvements. The external oversight committee has been pushing for joint discussions on safety reforms since September 2023, but the TRA’s handling of these meetings has been criticized as capricious and disrespectful. The TRA is currently in communication with the external oversight group but has yet to respond to their concerns. As the TRA’s transformation approaches, tensions between Taroko Tears and the railway administration are escalating.

Taiwan faces a 4.5% increase in domestic flight ticket prices due to a surge in global oil prices, resulting in an average additional cost of NT＄95 per ticket. Kinmen residents, who frequently travel to and from Taiwan, are particularly affected, with Mandarin Airlines’ Taipei to Kinmen route experiencing a one-way fare increase of 7.4%, equivalent to NT＄182. This price rise will also impact tourists planning to fly domestically during the New Year’s holiday, making air travel more expensive. As a result, authorities expect a significant increase in road traffic during the New Year’s Eve celebrations. To alleviate transportation challenges during the festive season, Taiwan will implement toll-free periods on freeways from midnight to 5 a.m. The Taiwan Railways Administration and Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR) will also increase service frequencies to accommodate the expected passenger volume. THSR has added 105 services and will continue to offer discounts for college students and early bird promotions. Taiwan Railways has scheduled 116 extra trains, anticipating a potential peak of over 800,000 passengers in a single day. However, ticket sales for child-friendly carriages have been temporarily suspended. Additional train services during the New Year transportation period will be available for purchase starting from midnight on December 1, aiming to alleviate travel congestion during the holidays.

The Lunar New Year festivities culminated on Sunday following a 10-day-long holiday. As workers resume their duties, many people voiced their aspirations for higher salaries in the face of climbing living expenses.

The ground crew at EVA Air went on strike earlier this week to protest their year-end bonus for 2022, which resulted in the delay of 47 flights on New Year’s Day.