The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (February 1) thanked the vast majority of the members of the public for co-operating with the compulsory measures adopted by the Government to prevent and control the spread of the epidemic, emphasising that the Government will take stringent enforcement action against offenders.
 
     "All the compulsory measures taken by the Government amid the epidemic are necessary and with legal basis. It is an offence to breach the rules and penalties are clear. Regardless of whether members of the public are required to undergo compulsory virus tests or commercial or personal activities are subject to restriction, we hope that we can have the full co-operation of the public in order to achieve the expected results," Mrs Lam said.
 
     "I noticed that the vast majority of the relevant citizens were fully co-operative during the four compulsory testing operations at the 'restricted areas' and in the relevant law enforcement actions in the past week. The operation at Blocks 5 and 7 of Laguna City completed this morning is an example, with no residents found to have not undergone compulsory tests. In the other law enforcement operations conducted at three 'restricted areas' in Jordan, Yau Ma Tei and North Point earlier, about 200, 5 and 15 residents respectively were identified as having violated the compulsory testing requirement.
 
     "I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to members of the public for their understanding and co-operation. Various government departments will continue to take stock of their experience for the benefit of the operations, with a view to minimising inconvenience caused to the residents and suppressing the epidemic effectively as soon as possible, so that economic activities and people's daily lives can return to normal gradually," Mrs Lam said.
 
     Regarding a public officer who was injured in an attack while taking part in the operation to enforce a "restriction-testing declaration" last night, Mrs Lam sent her regards to the officer and condemned the assailant's violent behaviour.
 
     "Hong Kong is governed by the rule of law. Violent acts are totally unacceptable. Testing programmes implemented by the Government are intended to safeguard public health, and inconvenience caused to the public is minimised as far as possible. Members of the public may raise their questions or express their views through various means. They should not pick on the working staff or even resort to violence," Mrs Lam said.
 
     Various government departments will proactively enforce the anti-epidemic regulations, including verifying the testing certification of residents at the entrances and exits of buildings subject to compulsory testing, conducting inspections on premises to check whether there is illegal operation or violation of relevant requirements, and taking enforcement action in public places in relation to regulations on mask wearing, group gatherings and more.

Ends/Monday, February 1, 2021
Issued at HKT 16:45

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