Six fined for failing to provide COVID-19 test proof on arrival: CECC

ROC Central News Agency

12/09/2020 08:30 PM

Taipei, Dec. 9 (CNA) A total of six Taiwanese citizens have each been fined NT$10,000 (US$351) after they failed to present proof of a recent COVID-19 test upon arrival in Taiwan as required by a new policy implemented on Dec. 1, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said on Wednesday.

CECC official Chou Jih-haw (周志浩) said the six were returning to the country from Hong Kong, Australia and the U.S.

When asked for explanations, some of them claimed they had lost their test result certificates, while others said they did not prepare the certificates because they did not have time to wait for the test results, according to Chou.

Chou made the announcement nine days after expanded pandemic control measures began in December in Taiwan to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus in anticipation of a new wave of infections during the winter period.

Starting from Dec. 1, all inbound travelers to Taiwan, as well as transit passengers, have been required to provide proof of a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result issued within three days of their flight to Taiwan, according to the CECC.

Exemptions include individuals coming from countries where self-paid COVID-19 tests are unavailable, those in urgent situations and travelers who return to Taiwan within three days of their departure.

There are no exemptions for foreign nationals without residency in Taiwan, however.

While Taiwanese nationals, Alien Permanent Resident Certificate holders and Alien Resident Certificate holders who fail to present the required test result can still return to Taiwan, those who do not have a valid reason will be fined between NT$10,000 and NT$150,000 under the Communicable Disease Control Act, the CECC said.

Meanwhile, as part of the expanded measures, the CECC also announced that wearing face masks have been mandatory at eight types of public venue since Dec. 1, with fines of NT$3,000-NT$15,000 for non-compliance.

So far, it has not issued any fines to people who refuse to wear a mask, according to the CECC.

(By Chang Ming-hsuan, Chen Wei-ting and Joseph Yeh)

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