Moscow Ballet Tour in Taiwan Cancelled over COVID-19 Infections

FILE PHOTO: People wait in long lines to buy face masks in order to protect themselves from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), outside a pharmacy in Taipei, Taiwan, March 17, 2020. REUTERS/Ann Wang
FILE PHOTO: People wait in long lines to buy face masks in order to protect themselves from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), outside a pharmacy in Taipei, Taiwan, March 17, 2020. REUTERS/Ann Wang
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Moscow Ballet Tour in Taiwan Cancelled over COVID-19 Infections

FILE PHOTO: People wait in long lines to buy face masks in order to protect themselves from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), outside a pharmacy in Taipei, Taiwan, March 17, 2020. REUTERS/Ann Wang
FILE PHOTO: People wait in long lines to buy face masks in order to protect themselves from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), outside a pharmacy in Taipei, Taiwan, March 17, 2020. REUTERS/Ann Wang

Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that the Christmas tour planned by the Moscow Classical Ballet in Taiwan was cancelled after eight of its 53 members tested positive for Covid-19.

The Moscow Classical Ballet had planned six "Swan Lake" and "The Nutcracker" shows in Taipei, and five other performances in the southern city of Kaohsiung.

Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung, who heads the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), said all the members of the group submitted negative tests results before their flight, and each member was sent directly to a separate room at an epidemic hotel upon arrival in Taiwan on December 29. Then, they all made new tests after the end of the two-week confinement period on Monday.

Four of the tested members had positive results, and they were hospitalized despite not showing any coronavirus symptoms. Although the infection transmission risk was low, the CECC and the UDN FunLife company, sponsor of the tour, decided to cancel the first show scheduled on December 16.

Following a new batch of tests on Thursday, four new members tested positive and were hospitalized, and the remaining 44 members have been quarantined at the hotel for 14 days, Chen said.

The other scheduled performances had to be cancelled "to ensure safety and peace of mind," he explained.



Photos Show a Filipino Couple Walking Down a Flooded Aisle on Their Wedding Day

Newlyweds Jade Rick Verdillo right, and Jamaica walk hand in hand during their wedding at the flooded Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Newlyweds Jade Rick Verdillo right, and Jamaica walk hand in hand during their wedding at the flooded Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
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Photos Show a Filipino Couple Walking Down a Flooded Aisle on Their Wedding Day

Newlyweds Jade Rick Verdillo right, and Jamaica walk hand in hand during their wedding at the flooded Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Newlyweds Jade Rick Verdillo right, and Jamaica walk hand in hand during their wedding at the flooded Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Jade Rick Verdillo and Jamaica Aguilar were determined to walk down the aisle on their wedding day. Even if it meant walking down a flooded one.

On Tuesday, the Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines flooded due to heavy rain. Typhoon Whipa had intensified seasonal monsoon rains in the Philippines, bringing widespread flooding.

The couple anticipated the risk of flooding, but instead of letting the weather dampen the mood, they decided to push through, as all marriages have their challenges.

“We just mustered enough courage,” said Verdillo. “We decided today because it is a sacrifice in itself. But there will more sacrifices if we don’t push through today.”

Aguilar waded down the aisle with her white dress and wedding train floating behind her through waters almost up to her knees. At the altar, Verdillo was waiting to receive her while wearing an embroidered shirt called a Barong Tagalog, worn during special occasions.

The newlyweds have been together for 10 years. The groom said, “I feel that challenges won’t be over. It’s just a test. This is just one of the struggles that we’ve overcome.”

Despite the turbulent weather, some family and friends made it to the wedding.

“You will see love prevailed because even against weather, storm, rains, floods, the wedding continued,” said Jiggo Santos, a wedding guest. “It’s an extraordinary wedding.”