Taiwan Fines Man $3,500 for 8-Second Quarantine Break

A man in Taiwan has been fined about $3,500 for leaving his quarantine room for eight
seconds.

The man is from the Philippines, and came to Kaohsiung, a city in southern Taiwan, in
November for work. Everyone coming into Taiwan has to self-isolate for 14 days, so the
man was staying in a designated quarantine hotel.

According to the city's Department of Health, on November 13, the man left his hotel room
to leave something outside his friend's room, who was in quarantine on the same
floor. Hotel staff saw this on the security camera and reported him.

The city's government has told hotel staff to watch guests carefully to make sure they stay
in their rooms. The fine for breaking quarantine rules can be from about $3,500 to more
than $35,000.

Taiwan's coronavirus cases began increasing in November, and new rules started in
December. From December 1 to February 28, almost everyone entering Taiwan must have
a negative COVID-19 test before traveling to the country.  Masks must also be worn in
places such as hospitals, bars, trains and supermarkets.

Taiwan has been praised for how well it has managed the pandemic.  The country was quick
to start testing travelers coming to the island, and quick to stop travel when needed.

According to Johns Hopkins University, by December 10, Taiwan had had 724 cases of
COVID-19, and seven deaths. Almost 24 million people live on the island.

Discussion

1. What are your thoughts on this incident?

2. If you had to quarantine for 14 days in a hotel, how would you keep yourself
entertained?
3. What are people required to do in order to enter your country at the moment?
4. Do you know anyone who's had to self-isolate?
5. Do you think your country has managed the pandemic well? Why? Why not?

Further Discussion

1. When was the last time you had to pay a fine? What was it for?
2. What's the best accommodation you've ever stayed in?
3. Have you traveled anywhere since the beginning of the pandemic?
4. What's the first place you're planning to visit once it's safe to do so?
5. If you were offered a well-paid job in a foreign country, would you take it? Why? Why
not?