In every corner of the world, in every office, and in every supermarket, there’s a person who is frothing at the mouth and denying the existence of the coronavirus pandemic and the virus itself. Such people believe that everything that happens in the world is a Masonic conspiracy. Besides, they are convinced that there’s no deadly virus whatsoever, there’s just the ordinary flu, and that quarantine regime is simply a veiled restriction of freedom.
Many people neglect quarantine requirements: they attend mass gatherings, walk along the street without wearing a mask, don’t wash their hands, continue to do their business, explaining to their employees that it’s “just like the mass flu,” and everything’s actually okay.
Countries that faced a threat of the rapid spread of coronavirus decided to fight malicious violators by means of fines and arrests.
In this article, you will find a selection of countries that imposed the most severe punishments and developed harsh rules for those “immortal” and, in addition, not the smartest people. So, if you don’t want to rent a “room” for a term of 6 months to 7 years, stay home and self-isolate. (By “room” we mean prison)
China (death penalty, a fine of up to $1,000)
China established criminal liability for intentional concealment of the coronavirus symptoms, as well as sanctions in case people fail to report their movements and violate the quarantine regime. Depending on the degree of threat to society, the punishment varies from a fine or ten years of imprisonment to life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
Moldova (arrest for up to 7 years, a fine of up to $3,000)
Moldova criminalized the dissemination of false information about coronavirus. The president of the country demanded to punish those whose sites spread fake news about COVID-19.
Spain (a fine of up to €600,000)
Spain ranks second in Europe in the number of COVID-19 patients, that is why a decision was made to impose severe sanctions for violating the coronavirus quarantine. The minimal fine for breaking quarantine is €600, but in especially serious cases, it may increase by a thousand times. For instance, a penalty may be issued in case if someone refuses to identify oneself to a police officer or for providing false information. Those who violated quarantine repeatedly will be liable to a hefty fine.
Despite an impressive fine, two desperate and rowdy retirees were found breaking the quarantine rules. In Madrid, the police detained a 77-year-old man who left the house despite the ban to do so, because he urgently needed to catch the Pokémon in the Pokémon Go app (yep, seem like it’s still popular). Now, a fine of €30,000 or imprisonment awaits for an elderly Pokémon hunter.
Another retired adventurer used a plush toy in the form of a dog to break the quarantine regime and walk around the city under the guise of “walking his dog.”
Canada (A fine of up to $100,000, arrest for up to 3 years)
After the SARS epidemic (a disease caused by SARS-CoV coronavirus) in 2003 that took the lives of 44 people in Toronto, the Canadian government introduced the Quarantine Act to save the country from another epidemic. Indeed, now the Act is needed more than ever. Canadians themselves claim to adhere to the recommendations of the Act all this time.
Czech Republic (a fine of $130,000, arrest of up to 6 years)
In early March, the Czech Republic announced new rules for everyone returning from Italy: classically, they needed to self-quarantine for two weeks. All those who disagree with the new regulations will face a fine of up to three million Czech crowns. Also, all residents of Prague must wear masks in shops, offices, hospitals, pharmacies, and administrative institutions. For non-compliance with this rule, you will get a fine of up to 20,000 crowns (approximately $780).
Singapore (a fine of up to $10,000, arrest of up to 6 months)
Every person who has been diagnosed as infected with COVID-19 must provide extremely accurate information about their social contacts and movements in recent times. Refusal to do so will be regarded as a violation of the law, which is punishable by a fine of several thousand dollars or several months in prison.
Israel (a fine of up to $1,300 or arrest of up to 7 months)
Israelis who return home from countries with high rates of COVID-19 infection must self-quarantine for 14 days. During quarantine, they are considered potentially ill, and therefore dangerous to society, which means that violating quarantine entails a fine or imprisonment of up to 7 years.
United Arab Emirates (a fine of up to $300,000, arrest of up to 5 years)
In the United Arab Emirates, serious responsibility can be incurred for disseminating false information about the coronavirus. A fake post in social networks will cost you one year in prison. It is better to forget about violating quarantine measures as well because for violating the self-isolation regime, you will be sentenced to three years in prison. If the actions of an infected person lead to the infection of others or even their death, they will get five years in prison.
Norway (a fine of up to $2,000, arrest of up to 15 days)
The punishment for non-compliance with the quarantine measures in Norway is not as severe as in other countries. Nevertheless, the quarantine regime seems to be an infringement of rights and freedoms of a part of the county’s population. Attempts to restrict people in their movements are perceived as an act of authoritarianism and a deviation from the principles of democracy. A fine of up to two thousand dollars is provided for breaking quarantine, and for organizing public events, a fine of $4,200 is provided.
Albania (a fine of up to €83,000)
In Albania, people organizing cultural and political events (concerts, business conferences, sporting events) will be fined. The organizers will be fined €40,000 for one such event. Television studios are forbidden to invite more than two people to their talk shows at the same time. For violating this rule, a fine of €8,300 is provided. The largest fine of 83 thousand euros will be paid by those grocery stores and pharmacies that sell goods that violate sanitary standards designed to fight the infection.
Ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking it, even if it is the law of another state. It should be remembered that from the moment you cross the border of a country, its jurisdiction extends to you, that is, the effect of its criminal, civil, administrative laws and rules.
Even if your country has not introduced a system of fines for violating quarantine norms, take care of those around you. Stay human – stay home.
