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Taiwan, often cited as a success story in the fight against Covid, is set to impose new travel restrictions, Reuters reports.

From next month, Taiwan will require almost all visitors to have negative Covid-19 tests before arriving, tightening rules after an uptick in imported cases, the government said on Wednesday.

Reuters reports:

The government will also increase the number of places where people must wear masks.

Taiwan has not reported any domestic transmissions of the virus for more than 200 days, and has the pandemic well in hand thanks to early and effective prevention.

But the island’s government has watched nervously as imported cases rise, albeit at a far lower rate than in many other places. Taiwan reported eight new cases on Friday, all imported, the most in a single day since 19 April.

Health minister Chen Shih-chung said that between 1 December and 28 February virtually everyone entering Taiwan will be required to have a negative Covid test, taken within three days of setting out to travel, though exceptions will be made for international mariners and in individual humanitarian cases.

The enforcement period may also be extended, he told reporters.

Previously, Taiwanese citizens and Taiwan residence permit holders did not need to present negative coronavirus tests before being allowed in, though most other travellers did.

The government will also mandate people wear masks in a larger number of places, including temples, art galleries and bars, Chen said, also from 1 December, or risk fines of up to T$15,000 ($526).

Masks are already widely worn in Taiwan.