An Australian employee for the German pharmaceutical company, Bayer, who was in China only for a day, was asked to leave the territory of the country after she did not comply with the country’s imposed rules for people to stay inside their homes during the coronavirus outbreak.
The 47-year-old Australian, whose name is Ms. Liang, reportedly arrived in Beijing on March 14, and just a day later, she was caught doing her workout outside her designated residence. Besides, she did not wear a mask on her face.
China’s strict rules state that each foreigner that arrives in the country must isolate so the spreading of the pandemic could slow down.
Ms. Liang’s altercation with authorities in Beijing made huge headlines as it was recorded, and the video clip quickly found its way to social media platforms.
In the footage, the Australian could be seen quarreling with a medic near the entrance of her residence in Beijing, and the woman insists that she needed to work out because if she fell sick, there was not anybody who would take care of her.
She said in the clip: “I need to go running. I need to work out. If I fall sick, who will take care of me? Will you come?”
The argument quickly escalates, and the passionate jogger starts screaming for help as if she was being harassed. As a result, two policemen could be seen arriving at the scene.
One of the police officers then explains to the woman that no matter if she was Chinese or a foreigner, she had to comply with the law of the People’s Republic of China.
The officer added: “I tell you, no matter [if] you’re Chinese or a foreigner, you have to comply with the law of the People’s Republic of China. This is to protect yourself and to protect others.”
Bayer China said in a statement: “According to relevant rules, the company has decided to dismiss the employee, effective immediately. All employees of Bayer China should strictly obey the various measures imposed by local governments to fight the COVID-19 epidemic, as well as local law and regulations.”
Following the incident, Liang’s work visa, which was previously valid until September, has been terminated, and also, the woman has been dismissed from her position.
This is how seriously China takes its coronavirus quarantine measures:
A Chinese Australian woman was fired from her job in Beijing and ordered to leave China after sparking outrage for breaking quarantine rules to go for a jog
Video of her quarrelling with a community worker: pic.twitter.com/aUmgaIjGVa
— Nectar Gan (@Nectar_Gan) March 20, 2020
