As the epidemic alert is raised to level 3 in Taipei and New Taipei City, people living in Taipei City and New Taipei City will be fined for not wearing a mask when leaving their house.
According to FOCUS TAIWAN, residents in Taipei and New Taipei will face fines of up to NT$300,000 (US$10,714) if they break tightened disease control measures after the government raised its COVID-19 alert for the two cities, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said.
Indoor gatherings of more than five people and outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people are now prohibited, Health Minister Chen Shih-chung (陳時中), who heads the CECC, said at a press briefing.
The new measure applies to family and social gatherings, but does not include those who live under the same roof, Chen said, adding that those breaking the rules will be fined between NT$60,000 and NT$300,000.
FOCUS TAIWAN mentions, the same penalties can be handed down to those who take part in religious processions across the country, Chen said, adding that name registrations should be enforced at religious venues.
"The aim is not to punish, but to set up rules that people can abide by," Chen stressed, urging people to cooperate with the government and follow the rules.
FOCUS TAIWAN says, Taipei and New Taipei residents should wear masks at all times when they leave their homes, or face a fine of up to NT$15,000, Chen said.
Public facilities such as movie theaters, sports centers, community centers, libraries, exhibition centers and amusement parks in the two cities have been ordered to close.
At the same time, a nationwide order has been placed to shut down adult entertainment venues, including bars, KTVs, nightclubs and massage parlors.
Business premises that ignore the new rules are also punishable by up to NT$300,000, Chen said.
