Residents in Taipei woke up to stricter measures at the weekend, as locally-acquired COVID-19 cases surged to 185.

The island’s COVID alert was raised to level three in two cities, as authorities continue to scramble to get the growing cluster under control.

Home gatherings are now limited to five people, and mask wearing is compulsory while residents are out in public. This is the first time that Taiwan has imposed such measures.

The island has been widely applauded for its management of the pandemic, with one of the lowest COVID-19 rates in the world per capita.