In a surprising twist, Taiwan has experienced a spike in Covid-19 cases in recent weeks, coming as a surprise due to how effective the island’s early prevention strategy was. Amid this spike in cases, a total of 124 financial companies in Taiwan have begun allowing some of their employees to work from home, reveals data from the Financial Supervisory Commission.
Of the financial companies that have done so, 39 are banks, 28 are life and property insurance companies, 22 are securities brokers, 25 are securities investment trust and consulting companies, and 10 are futures companies.
“It seems that the financial companies have become more cautious about the pandemic and have taken more measures to curb infections,” said the commission at a videoconference address, as reported by the Taipei Times.
Currently only a handful of financial companies have reported positive Covid-19 cases among their staff. Among these, one of Fubon Financial Holding Co’s staff had tested positive, and came into contact with another employee at state-run Taiwan Cooperative Bank in New Taipei City’s Tucheng District.
Both firms have since disinfected the office spaces, according to the commission.
Taishin Securities Investment Advisory Co has already asked its staff to work from home, while Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank said 30% of its employees have been working from home, and its back-office staff have been given the option to work from home since last year.
