By Su Chin-feng / Staff reporter, with CNASeveral events marking the Lantern Festival began yesterday, with the Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taichung deploying nearly 40 medical personnel to help prevent the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The Taichung festival runs through Feb. 23. The Taipei Lantern Festival opened in the Ximending (西門町) area, while lanterns are also on display at Nangang Station (南港車站), the festival’s east exhibition area. Unapproved use of uncrewed aerial vehicles is prohibited and drones would be intercepted, the Taipei City Government said. Folk stories say that epidemics commonly affected Taitung during the Japanese colonial period and the deity Handan would drive out devils, and bring wealth and fortune during the Lantern Festival.

Source: Taipei Times February 08, 2020 15:56 UTC