Taipei, July 23 (CNA) Taiwan will lower the nationwide Level 3 COVID-19 alert after it expires on July 26 and further ease government restrictions starting July 27, the Cabinet said Friday.

The current alert, which is part of a four-tier system, will be lowered to Level 2, and restrictions will be further relaxed to allow the reopening of more businesses and venues that have been ordered to close since COVID-19 cases began surging in mid-May, according to Cabinet spokesman Lo Ping-cheng.

Under the current Level 3 alert, gatherings of more than 4 people indoors and 9 outdoors are banned, and many public venues such as swimming pools and beaches are closed.

According to guidelines drafted by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) for the Level 2 alert, gatherings will be allowed to as many as 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors, and restaurants will be allowed to offer dine-in services.

Further details will be announced at the CECC's regular press briefing at 2 p.m. Friday.

Health Minister Chen Shih-chung, who also heads the CECC, had earlier said it was preparing to lift the Level 3 alert following the flattening of the coronavirus curve.

Daily confirmed new COVID-19 cases in Taiwan have been under 40 since July 4.