The Cabinet has passed a statute governing a special budget aimed at helping businesses cope with the impact of COVID-19.
Under a draft passed Thursday, employers are required by law to give employees days off when they are kept in quarantine, under medical examination, or need to be a caregiver at home. Employees are eligible to seek compensation from the government within two years. There will be preferential tax treatment for employers who give employees paid leave.
The statute also stipulates subsidies, compensation and rewards for medical care workers and their institutions.
To keep the outbreak under control, hoarding or price gouging of supplies will be fined up to NT$5 million (US$166,000) and sentenced up to five years in prison. Quarantined, confirmed and suspected patients who fail to follow rules and those who spread rumors about the outbreak will also be severely punished.
Meanwhile, President Tsai Ing-wen urged the opposition to support the statute to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on industries. Tsai also assured the public that the government has been preparing for the outbreak since January and that there are enough supplies needed to fight the disease.