A couple living in the US already ill with COVID-19 were recently allowed to enter Taiwan. The Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office has opened an investigation to find out whether there is any criminal liability.
A husband and wife that had lived in the US for 30 years became, respectively, Taiwan's 384th and 393rd cases of COVID-19. They already had symptoms when they boarded their flight and entered Taiwan, and all other passengers and the entire flight crew now have to be in quarantine because of them. The Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office is investigating.
They may have violated Article 13 of the Special Act for Prevention, Relief and Revitalization Measures for Severe Pneumonia with Novel Pathogens, which specifies punishment for individuals suffering from or suspected of suffering from severe pneumonia with novel pathogens that fail to abide by the instructions of competent health authorities of any level and thus are at risk of infecting others. Our office has already formed a task force and launched an investigation that is being overseen by a chief prosecutor.
Prosecutors say if the two traveled while knowing or suspecting they had COVID-19, they face up to two years in prison and fines of NT$200,000 to 2 million.
Our country allows our citizens -- regardless of where they live, they can return to Taiwan if they are ROC citizens. There are no travel restrictions on them.
One public health expert says everyone trusts Taiwan's medical system and it is only natural for people to want to go where they can get the most ideal and safest treatment during a pandemic or when they are sick. The expert also says a united front, mutual trust, self-regulation, compliance with regulations and empathy are needed to help infected people accept quarantine and treatment.