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An association was today (August 14) fined $3,000 for contravening the conditions of the Certificate of Compliance (CoC) as required under Section 21 of the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.
The Eastern Magistrates' Courts heard that the association in Causeway Bay had been operating with a CoC under the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance since 1997. The Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of Home Affairs Department found that a restaurant located in the association served non-members last year. Regarding the contravention of Special Condition 1 of the CoC, the OLA subsequently issued warning letters to the association.
In January this year, officers of OLA, posing as patrons, ate at two restaurants in the association. The officers saw a sign showing that non-members would not be served but they were served without being asked for membership cards.
The association was later charged with contravening section 21(2) of the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.
A spokesman for the department said robust enforcement action would continue to be taken against illegal clubhouse operations.
Ends/Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:30
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