The First Asia Pride Games are being held in almost Tokyo 2020 conditions because of the current and continuing Covid-19 spike in infections across the country. The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) on Monday May 2 announced 17,858 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, of which 17,801 are local — a new high — along with 57 imported, and three deaths. Of these reported cases, 99.75% are asymptomatic and only 0.03% are severe.

Whether the Taipei Pride Parade takes place will depend on whether the situation improves between now and October. The 2022 event is scheduled for October 27-30, with the Parade on the 30th (see https://www.gaytravel4u.com/event/taiwan-gay-pride). Whether foreigners will be able to attend is debatable. The Government originally announced that it planned to reopen to country to international tourists in the third quarter of 2022, but in March the Minister of Health and Welfare ruled out the possibility of Taiwan joining other Asian countries in fully ending quarantine requirements for vaccinated travelers. When asked whether Taiwan would follow countries which have removed quarantine requirements, the reply was: “It is impossible this year. This will be a difficult thing to predict.”

However, since March, quarantine requirements in general have been relaxed (i.e., the period shortened), and special visas have been introduced allowing relatives of Taiwanese nationals and foreign residents to visit - but not international tourists in general. Using a Bluetooth-based contact tracing app is now more or less compulsory, as is mask-wearing, hand sanitizing and temperature-taking for entering, e.g., shops, shopping malls, restaurants, etc.

Still, we can live in hope.