TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A couple from Taichung left the country without paying fines of NT$150,000 (US$4,970) each for violating coronavirus quarantine regulations, reports said Saturday (March 28).
When the deadline for paying the fines had passed, the authorities looked up their financial and immigration details and found that they had already left Taiwan, CNA reported.
Even though it was too late, the authorities slapped an exit ban on the couple retroactive until March 20, as this will allow for a faster government response when they return. If they have still not paid the fines by then, they will in effect be barred from leaving the country again, officials said.
According to government data, 275 fines, a total of NT$2.97 million, had been levied for coronavirus-related violations as of Friday (March 27), with 82 offenders already having paid up and 12 having passed their deadline without payment. In addition to the Taichung couple, one other person has been barred from leaving Taiwan.
