Taiwan's government has imposed its toughest restrictions so far, as the island tries to battle a spike in Covid-19 cases.<br />'' <br />''The authorities are shutting down cinemas and entertainment venues until 28 May, while limiting gatherings to five indoors and 10 outdoors.<br />'' <br />''President Tsai Ing-wen urged the public not to panic-buy basic necessities.<br />'' <br />''Taiwan, which has so far survived the pandemic almost unscathed, reported 207 new infections yesterday.<br />'' <br />''The island of 23 million people has recorded 1,682 infections and 12 Covid-related deaths since the start of the pandemic.<br />'' <br />''Taiwan's impressive success battling the coronavirus has been largely attributed to early and strict border controls, a ban on foreign visitors and mandatory quarantine for all Taiwanese returning home.<br />'' <br />''The capital Taipei remains the main infections hotspot, forcing the city authorities to raise the coronavirus there to Level 3.<br />'' <br />''Taiwan has four Covid-19 response levels, and the Level 3 stops just short of lockdown, local media said.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">This is unprecedented, as Taiwan has until now not had to resort to such restrictions since the outbreak began.</span><br />