Taipei fines man $33,000 for breaking quarantine

One man in Taiwan had a particularly expensive night out after authorities fined him $33,000 (NT$1 million) for violating quarantine to go clubbing.

The man was supposed to be self-isolating at home for two weeks after returning from Southeast Asia, reported the Asia Times.

But he was caught partying in the capital, Taipei, on Sunday.

Officials called his behaviour "malicious" and charged him with the maximum fine possible.

"Those who are caught going out to places that have big crowds and are not well ventilated will be sent to a centralised epidemic prevention facility and fined NT$1 million," New Taipei city mayor Hou Yu-ih said.

"I will not be soft-handed," he added.

Despite their proximity to China, Taiwan has been praised for their small number of reported cases. Till now, it has reported 195 cases and two deaths.

But China, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong, in spite of having controlled the virus, are now facing a second outbreak of coronavirus, fuelled by people crossing their borders.

This has led Taiwan to bar foreigners from entering the country and make it mandatory for two weeks.

Those in quarantine are monitored via GPS on phones and messaging systems, with police alerted to those who leave their apartments.

Taipei city government declared earlier this month the first overall fine for a man who came from mainland China, refused to quarantine, took a high-speed train and then attempted to catch a plane off the island.

The NT$1 million fine will be doubled for anyone using public transport.