Taiwan's new COVID-19 patients lie about wearing hazmat suits: CECC

中央疫情指揮中心：台灣新的新冠肺炎患者謊稱有穿防護衣

Taiwanese couple returning from Bangladesh faces possible fine for failing to disclose accurate information about their arrival


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) on Tuesday (June 16) confirmed rumors that the two imported coronavirus cases reported the previous day had not been fully honest about the condition of their return from Bangladesh.

Following the CECC's announcement on Monday (June 15) that a Taiwanese couple had tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in Taiwan over the weekend, travelers who shared the same flight told reporters that the pair had not been wearing hazmat suits as they claimed. Some accompanying passengers also expressed concern for their own safety, pointing out that the couple had coughed vigorously throughout the flight.

During a press conference on Tuesday, CECC spokesman Chuang Jen-hsiang (莊人祥) admitted that airport surveillance footage showed the couple wearing only surgical masks when they disembarked from the aircraft. He said the CECC will consult with the couple about the reason for their false account, adding that the 37 passengers who were in close proximity to the patients have been notified and told to monitor their health.

Chuang stressed that it is mandatory for citizens returning from overseas to provide accurate information about their health as well as itineraries. He said any attempt to lie about coronavirus test results or personal information may result in severe punishment, noting that the couple would face a fine of up to NT$300,000 (US$10,110) if their misinformation is found to have been intentional, reported ETtoday.

In response to concerns about the consequences of the couple's lack of caution, Health Minister and CECC head Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) reassured the Taiwanese public at the Legislative Yuan on Tuesday that necessary measures have been implemented to eliminate the chance of coronavirus clusters. While expressing gratitude to Taiwanese for their cooperation, he also reminded the public that mask-wearing is key to containing the spread of the disease, reported Liberty Times.