Taiwan's National Symphony Orchestra performs before live fans as COVID-19 restrictions ease
For the first time since Taiwan imposed nationwide restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19, the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO, also known as Taiwan Philharmonic) performed before a live audience on May 24 at the National Concert Hall. Joined by Culture Minister Lee Yung-te (李永得) and roughly 500 participants who were required to confirm identity when purchasing tickets, the concert proceeded under strict health measures as it was live-streamed on YouTube and PTS Plus+.
Jointly presented by the Taipei-based National Theater and Concert Hall and Taiwan Public Television Service (PTS), "Orchestral Weave" was the first indoor performance held in a national venue with a live audience since the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), a taskforce that oversees all epidemic responses in the nation, released its guidelines addressing social distancing measures for group gatherings and large-scale events on April 1.
Conducted by NSO Director Lu Shao-chia (呂紹嘉), the performance proceeded under the Ministry of Culture's set of guidelines on infection control, which was tailored for cultural events and endorsed by the CECC. This three-part schema — event preparation, on-site management, and audience size — shall be applied to review all activities taking place at national-level venues.
At the event preparation stage, organizers are required perform a risk assessment in advance to ensure that the most-current requirements laid out by the CECC are met. Event organizers shall also formulate concrete implementation plans for safeguarding hygiene, preventing viral transmission, and having the capability to respond to emergencies.
Organizers are also required to monitor the health conditions of all event attendees and staff, and present a customized procedure to control the flow of people in and out the venue ahead of the event.
At the on-site management stage, attendees are required to confirm identity when purchasing tickets. Event staff, as well as all attendees, are required to wear a surgical mask, have their temperatures monitored, and practice social distancing. Event organizers shall also space attendees apart by leaving vacant seats in between to help prevent unnecessary contact.
As long as the relevant requirements are met, event organizers are no longer required to abide by previously imposed restrictions that limit outdoor gatherings to less than 500 people and indoor events to less than 100 participants.
The updated guidelines aim to ensure precautions against the epidemic are upheld and the health and safety of all participants are free from danger, all while providing more access to exhibitions or live performances. This policy will be first applied to national venues and facilities, including sites supervised by the central government's agencies and administrative corporations, on a trial-run basis.
The Ministry will determine whether to resume events that engage a greater number of attendees, and if larger venues can be re-opened soon, by monitoring the trial run and its effects.
With the tireless effort made by frontline medical personnel and the CECC, Taiwan now has the coronavirus pandemic under control and is emerging from the global health crisis with a stronger standing than before. The success against COVID-19 has helped Taiwan glow with praises from home and abroad, and Ministry will continue to arrange activities of different themes and forms to restore the nation's confidence in cultural and art events.
NSO will continue to offer high-quality concerts in 4K over the web on May 30 and June 12. Read the original press release here.