A China-based Taiwanese businessman, Li You-cheng (
Li refused to allow his temperature to be taken Tuesday night after landing. Brushing the medical personnel off at the entrance gate, Li said he would not submit to the policy, which he described as "a disgrace to Taiwan's international reputation."
Neither customs officers nor medical personnel were able to stop him from leaving the airport.
The Department of Health filed a complaint and recommended that Li be fined NT$60,000 for violating the anti-communicable disease regulations.
The Taipei County Health Department issued the fine since Li's registered permanent home address is in Panchiao City, Taipei County. Officials issued the fine based on evidence from airport videotapes and cable television reports.
The punishment was in response to the man's disrespect for "the dignity of law," Taipei County Government Health Commissioner Chou Jih-haw (
"We decided to take the action after we were informed by the Department of Health yesterday ... the ticket has been issued," Chou said.
Li voluntarily reported to an official health office to have his temperature checked yesterday morning and his temperature was declared normal.
But Chou said the fine would still stand because the refusal and the subsequent check "are two separate things."
An angry Li has said he will never pay the fine which he says is "without the origin of law."
He also criticized the enforcement of the temperature check, insisting it would "mar the country's image."
Lis is the first person to face a SARS-related penalty since the disease first appeared in this country early last month.
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