(Fighting new crown pneumonia) Taiwan's "March Mad Mother Zu" grand event this year

China News Agency, Taipei, March 10th. Due to the impact of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, many Matsu temples in Taiwan have cancelled or postponed the outbound tour activities. The long-established "March Mad Madzu" folklore in Taiwan has a long history.

Taiwan's "Outbreak Epidemic Command Center" announced on the 10th that 2 new cases of new coronary pneumonia were confirmed in Taiwan, of which 1 was a close contact with a locally diagnosed patient and 1 was an imported case overseas. A total of 47 cases of new crown pneumonia were diagnosed in Taiwan.

According to Taiwan media reports such as China Times, the Central News Agency, and United News Network, at the end of February, the Lanzhou Palace in Dajia Town, Taichung, and the Gongtian Palace in Baishatun announced the suspension and postponement of Mazu detours. According to the practice in recent years, the annual Dajia Mazu detours into Hong Kong for nine days and eight nights, with a total distance of about 340 kilometers. It is the largest detour in Taiwan and has a history of hundreds of years.

Whether or not this year ’s Mazuo detour activity in Dajia Town was held as scheduled, it once became the focus of discussion in Taiwan society. Eventually, the organizer announced the extension with priority to epidemic prevention. Baishatun Gongtian Palace issued a written announcement saying "based on compassion and thinking of life", after the new crown pneumonia epidemic is under control, it will be held on another day to strive for a win-win situation between folk belief and science.

The Mazu of Beigang Chaotian Palace in Yunlin County has been traveling for more than 300 years. During the tour, Beigang Ma Lijiao, Zhenrenyige, and Centennial Yizheng have been called "Taiwan Cannons", attracting a crowd of weavers every year. Chaotian Palace's Supervisory Board decided on March 9 to suspend this year's activities. This is the first time that the temple has been suspended for more than 300 years.

Taiwan ’s Yilan South Australia Mazu detour was announced on the same day, the first time in about 70 years since the detour was launched. Nanfangao is one of the three major fishing ports in Taiwan. Mazu is the main local folk belief. The Nantian Temple, which worships the golden Matsu, and the nearby Jing'an Palace, which worships the gem coral mazu, are full of incense. The annual birth of Mazu birthday in Nanfangao is held by two temples in turn. This year, it is hosted by Nantian Temple. Nantian Temple canceled this year's detours and also announced that the saved funds would be used for disinfection and epidemic prevention of local villages and fishing boats.

In addition, a number of large-scale sports events such as the “Wanjinshi Marathon” in New Taipei City, the “Old Capital Marathon” in Tainan, and the “International Triathlon” in Taitung have also been cancelled or postponed. Many counties and cities in Taiwan announced that they have postponed graduation from primary and secondary schools travel. (Finish)