Focus Taiwan
Date: 03/27/2020
By: Chen Yun-yu and Matthew Mazzetta
Taipei, March 27 (CNA) The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) will deny NT$28,000 (US$930) in subsidies to a quarantined couple after the BBC reported they were dissatisfied with their conditions, even if neither of the two were cited directly in the report.
The story, which went viral on social media after its publication Thursday, was pulled without explanation Friday amid a strong backlash on social media.
In a press release, the CECC said the BBC report misrepresented the couple's treatment while in quarantine at a repurposed school dormitory in Hualien that began on March 15 and had damaged Taiwan's international standing.
The report also mislead the public, affecting people's willingness to cooperate with quarantine measures, and thereby impeding Taiwan's COVID-19 response efforts, the CECC contended.
[FULL STORY]