The turnover of Taiwan's catering industry in May decreased by 19.1 percent year on year due to the effects of COVID-19, the region's economic affairs department said on Wednesday.

Specifically, the turnover of the restaurant industry dropped by 18.6 percent year on year in May. The turnover of beverage shops and group meal industry decreased by 21.4 percent and 24.1 percent respectively year on year, mainly due to the reduction in business hours and the impact of school closures.

The retail industry also declined sharply. The turnover of department stores, cloth and apparel products, and household appliances and supplies decreased by 28.3 percent, 27.2 percent, and 13 percent year on year respectively, due to the impact of the epidemic.

As more people stay at home, the demand for home office products and anti-epidemic materials rose significantly. The turnovers of e-shopping and mail order, information and communication, supermarkets, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics retail sectors increased by 27.1 percent, 19.6 percent, 35.7 percent, and 11 percent respectively year on year.

The department said people should reduce their outdoor shopping and eating in restaurants is completely banned as the region retains the national level 3 alert in June. Some businesses should shorten their business hours or suspend business voluntarily, which will inevitably hit the retail and catering industry. Shop owners can only try to offset some of the reduced business through online sales, takeout and delivery.

On Wednesday, Taiwan reported 104 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the island-wide total to 14,260 cases.