Taiwan Imposes '3 Years Imprisonment' for COVID-19 Lies on April Fools' Day

India, Thailand, and Others Also Ban the Spread of Rumors

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Onyu Lim] Taiwan has decided to impose a maximum prison sentence of three years on those who spread rumors related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) on April Fools' Day. Thailand and India have also banned lying using COVID-19 as a pretext. The global April Fools' Day atmosphere is changing due to the spread of COVID-19.

According to AFP on the 1st (local time), Taiwan, regarded as a 'model country for quarantine,' warned residents that spreading rumors could result in a maximum prison sentence of three years and a fine of 3 million Taiwan dollars (about 120 million KRW). Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen emphasized on Facebook the day before, "To avoid breaking the law on April Fools' Day, COVID-19-related jokes should not be made." Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare also urged through its official website, "Please be considerate of those working on the front lines to prevent infectious diseases," and requested that COVID-19-related jokes be avoided.

The Thai government also emphasized that COVID-19-related jokes could lead to a maximum prison sentence of five years and announced a ban on such jokes. The Thai government explicitly stated on its official Twitter, "It is illegal to lie about being infected with COVID-19 this April Fools' Day."

Similar warnings have been issued in India, where the problem of online fake news is serious. Anil Deshmukh, the Home Minister of Maharashtra state, India, said on Twitter, "The state government will prohibit the spreading of COVID-related rumors or fear." Pranay Ashok, spokesperson for the Mumbai Police, told AFP, "We urge citizens to verify the accuracy of information, share only messages derived from reliable sources, and not to be deceived by fake news."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.