During nearly two months of coronavirus lockdown in Romania, the authorities have fined more than 300,000 people for failing to comply with the restrictions. The number represents more than one in every 100 inhabitants and is significantly higher than that in its European neighbors.

Among the huge amount of cases have been a few curious ones – including a woman in the north of the country, who received a 400 euro ($433) fine for chasing a runaway pig. After following the animal from her backyard and on to the street, she was found not to be in possession of the required self-certification form to justify leaving her property.

A man walking in the western city of Arad was summoned by the police to witness a fine being applied to another person. After his identity was checked, it was discovered he should have been in self-isolation at home after returning from a pandemic-hit country. 

He was issued with a 2,200 euro fine and subjected to a criminal investigation for breaching regulations, a police report says. The authorities then decided to send the man to a quarantine center for 14 days at his expense.

Working the land is not deemed an excuse for breaking lockdown without complying with the strict rules. One farmer was ordered to pay 1,000 euros for not writing down the exact duration of his work on his self-certified form.

Speaking to CGTN Europe, the farmer, named Gelu Barna, said he was first stopped by a police officer who said everything was in order and then, a further 500 meters down the road, was checked by another officer who decided to fine him. 

"I won't pay the fine. It is illegal. I did nothing wrong. My lawyer has appealed the sanction and we are waiting for a decision after the end of this state of emergency," he said.

Some of the outcomes have been tragic. At least two people are believed to have tried to take their own lives after being issued with hefty fines.

The levies handed out so far amount to more than €120 million. The interior ministry said the money collected will likely go into the healthcare system.

Heavy sanctions

The sanctions in Romania range from €415 to €4,150, meaning the minimum charge represents two-thirds of the monthly average wage in Romania.

Romania, alongside France (800,000) and Spain (500,000) are the countries with the largest number of fines handed out. In contrast, the UK has issued around 9,000 fines in a similar period of time.