While countries across the world have imposed restrictions to contain the spread of coronavirus, those violating the lockdown rules are being fined some hefty amounts, especially in Europe.
Romania has so far issued 200,000 fines to those defying lockdown, and have been charged with hefty fines amounting to a total of??69 million ($85 million). The amount is equivalent to the corporate tax collected by Romania in February,?according to?Romania-insider.com.?
One of Bucharest's mayors was fined 10,000 lei ($2250) after he was caught cycling in a public park.?
Citizens of the southeastern European country must fill out an official form before they leave home explaining why they have gone out, which has to be presented with an identification card if stopped by police or military.
Anyone caught breaking these restrictions can face fines ranging from 2,000 Romanian lei (about $450) up to 20,000 (about $4,500), according to the?BBC.??
Romania has a population of 20 million with one of Europe's most underfunded and ailing healthcare systems, so the fines have been viewed as a way to prevent it from quickly becoming overwhelmed.??
As of Wednesday morning, Romania has had 9,242 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 507 deaths, according to a tally compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
A state of emergency was first imposed in the country on March 16, and was recently extended to the middle of May.
Across the world, the total number of coronavirus cases has crossed 26 lakh while the death toll has gone above 1.8 lakh, according to latest figures from Johns Hopkins University.?
The US has the world's largest number of coronavirus cases at over 8.4 lakh while the death toll in the country has gone past 46,500.?