Police are aware that some netizens have called for an unauthorised assembly on Hong Kong Island today (May 24). Besides, some people intentionally misinterpreted the definition of exempted group gatherings under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (the Regulation) in order to incite others to take part in unlawful activities. Police strongly condemn such irresponsible act.
      
     It must be emphasised that according to the Schedule One of the Regulation, a group gathering during a religious activity is exempted only if it is held at a premise constructed or regularly used as a place of worship. Therefore, not all religious activities are exempted under the Regulation.
      
     According to the Public Order Ordinance, participating in an unauthorised assembly carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment. On the other hand, group gatherings may also increase the risk of transmission of diseases in the community, constituting the offence of "participating in a prohibited group gathering" under the Regulation.
      
     Police do not condone any illegal act and appeal to members of the public to refrain from participating in any unauthorised assembly or prohibited group gathering. Officers are deployed to take resolute law enforcement actions, including making arrests.

Ends/Sunday, May 24, 2020
Issued at HKT 12:14

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