The number of new local Covid-19 infections in Taiwan hit a fresh high on Wednesday.

The daily caseload reached 28,420, up from about 23,000 the day before.

New infections topped 10,000 in New Taipei City.

Health authorities on the island also reported five more deaths.

Officials earlier announced that from next Monday, people arriving in Taiwan will be quarantined for seven days, down from 10 currently.

Officials said the easing of the quarantine rule was made due to Omicron's short incubation period and to take into account "the maintenance of domestic pandemic prevention capacity, socio-economic activities and effective risk control". (Additional reporting by Reuters)