Government completes enforcement actions on compulsory testing notices at three buildings in Sham Shui Po and Jordan
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     The Sham Shui Po District Office and the Yau Tsim Mong District Office, together with the Office of the Licensing Authority of the Home Affairs Department (HAD), relevant police districts, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) and the Auxiliary Medical Service (AMS), conducted enforcement actions on compulsory testing notices today (February 11) at three buildings in Sham Shui Po and Jordan, which were included in compulsory testing notices earlier, respectively. The operation in Sham Shui Po started at around 7am today and ended at around 9.15am. The operation in Jordan started at around 7.15am today and ended at around 10.45am.

     Starting from around 7am today, residents of 119-121, Nam Cheong Street and that of 123-125, Nam Cheong Street in Sham Shui Po, as well as residents of Man Ying Building, 2-24 Man Ying Street, Ferry Point in Jordan, were requested to provide an SMS notification received through mobile phone or related certification containing the results of COVID-19 tests, to show that they had taken such tests as required pursuant to the compulsory testing notices within the specified period issued by the Government earlier on. The Government arranged staff to verify the testing certifications of the residents at the entrances/exits of the buildings, and conducted random checks in the buildings to verify whether residents have undergone testing in compliance with the requirement.

     During the operation conducted at Nam Cheong Street in Sham Shui Po, test records of around 50 residents were checked and 11 persons were found to have violated the compulsory testing notice. While during the operation conducted at Man Ying Building in Jordan, test records of over 600 residents were checked and 42 persons were found to have violated the compulsory testing notice. The Government has issued fixed penalties of $5,000 and/or compulsory testing orders to them, requiring them to undergo testing within a specified period. Non-compliance with a compulsory testing order is an offence liable to a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     The Government reiterates that the aim of issuing the compulsory testing notice is to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the community as soon as possible to protect the overall public health and safety. Persons subject to testing under the compulsory testing notice should, as far as reasonably practicable, take appropriate personal disease prevention measures including wearing a mask and maintaining hand hygiene, and unless for the purpose of undergoing the specified test, stay at their place of residence and avoid going out until the test result is ascertained as far as possible.

     The Government wishes to thank the many residents who had complied with the compulsory testing notices for their co-operation to fight against the virus together. The Government will continue to enforce the law strictly. All persons subject to compulsory testing should comply with the compulsory testing notices. Any person who fails to comply with the compulsory testing notices may be liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person will also be issued with a compulsory testing order, requiring him/her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Non-compliance with the order is an offence and the offender may be liable to a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     The Sham Shui Po District Office and the Yau Tsim Mong District Office are grateful for the support and co-operation by the Police, the CHP and the AMS to enable the enforcement actions to be carried out smoothly. The Government understands that the enforcement process may cause some inconvenience to the residents, but hopes that the residents can understand.

Ends/Thursday, February 11, 2021
Issued at HKT 12:27

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