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Saturday, May 09, 2020, 16:38
Baseball returns to normality as Taiwan lets some fans back in
By Agencies
Saturday, May 09, 2020, 16:38 By Agencies

Cheerleaders perform in front of fans wearing face masks during Taiwan's professional baseball league (CPBL) between Fubon Guardians and the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions at Xinzhuang Baseball Stadium in New Taipei on May 8, 2020. (HSU TSUN-HSU / AFP)

NEW TAIPEI — Taiwan reopened baseball games to a limited number of fans on Friday for the first time since controls were imposed to limit the spread of the coronavirus, part of government efforts to slowly allow normal life to resume.

Taiwan has been relatively successful at controlling the virus, with 440 cases to date and 6 deaths, with only 85 active infections, thanks to early prevention and detection efforts

Taiwan has been relatively successful at controlling the virus, with 440 cases to date and 6 deaths, with only 85 active infections, thanks to early prevention and detection efforts.

The island has never gone into total lockdown although the government has promoted social distancing and face masks, and stopped mass attendance at events like sports matches.

ALSO READ: Taiwan sees 7 new cases, steps up checks on public transport

Both the baseball and soccer seasons got underway in Taiwan last month, but without spectators, providing rare live action for fans at a time when the pandemic has shut down most professional sport around the globe.

On Friday evening, 1,000 pectators were allowed in to baseball matches in New Taipei and Taichung.

Fans expressed their joy at being allowed to see the game with their own eyes again.

Lin Wen-hsuan, 30, holding her ticket in her hand, told Reuters the re-opening was much sooner than she had thought.

“Initially I had expected to wait until the second half of the season before being able to enter the stadium,” Lin told Reuters. “I feel very happy.”

Fans were required to undergo temperature checks, wear face masks and sit at least one metre apart. Tickets were sold on a “real name” basis with designated seats, meaning authorities can easily trace people if there are any infections linked back to attending the matches.

The home team, the Fubon Guardians, beat the Uni-President Lions, to the backdrop of drumming and chanting by opposing fans.

READ MORE: Mainland steps up services for Taiwan people amid outbreak

“I anticipated this for so long. I thought it would still take a long, long time before I’d be able to watch baseball, but then they suddenly announced that we can come into the stadium to watch baseball. I immediately went to buy tickets,” said Nono Chen, 39.

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