Two women sentenced for breaching compulsory quarantine orders
**************************************************************
The first case involved a woman aged 39, who was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that she must conduct quarantine at home for 14 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, she left the place of quarantine on December 20, 2020, without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer. She was charged with contravening Sections 8(1) and 8(5) of the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C) and was sentenced by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today to immediate imprisonment for 10 days.
The second case involved a woman aged 27, who was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that she must conduct quarantine at a hotel for 21 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, she left the place of quarantine on April 11, 2021, without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer. She was charged with contravening Sections 8(1) and 8(5) of the Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation (Cap. 599E) and was sentenced by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today to imprisonment for 10 days, suspended for 12 months.
Breaching a quarantine order is a criminal offence and offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months. A spokesman for the Department of Health said the sentence sends a clear message to the community that breaching a compulsory quarantine order is a criminal offence that the Government will not tolerate, and solemnly reminded the public to comply with the regulations. As of today, a total of 156 persons have been convicted by the courts for breaching compulsory quarantine orders and have received sentences including immediate imprisonment for up to 14 weeks or a fine of up to $15,000. The spokesman reiterated that resolute actions will be taken against anyone who has breached the relevant regulations.
Ends/Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Issued at HKT 17:55
Issued at HKT 17:55
NNNN