A co-pilot at a Taiwanese airline has finished paying off a fine of NT$800,000 (US$28,551) for breaking COVID-19 quarantine rules earlier this year, the Taipei branch of the Administrative Enforcement Agency (AEA) said Tuesday.
The co-pilot, surnamed Chung (?), was found to have left his home three times during quarantine after returning from flight assignments in January and February, and was fined NT$800,000 by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in May, the AEA said in a statement.
As Chung did not pay the fine within the deadline of seven days, the case was referred to the AEA’s Taipei branch.
After AEA officers informed Chung that he could be barred from leaving the country if he failed to pay his fine, he agreed to pay it in five installments, with the final installment paid on Nov. 26, the AEA said.
According to the AEA, Chung said that he had left his home to visit friends and buy food during quarantine because he was under a lot of stress having to deal with the endless cycle of flight duties and quarantine, and he deeply regretted violating the rules.
Chung has been suspended from flying and had his salary reduced, the AEA said.
People who violate quarantine regulations can be fined up to NT$1 million in Taiwan, and those who fail to pay the fine within the required timeframe will have their cases referred to the AEA, which has the authority to seize their assets and restrict them from leaving the country.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel