Two men sentenced for breaching compulsory quarantine order
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The first case involved a man aged 84, who was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that he must conduct quarantine at home for 14 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order and without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer, he tried to leave Hong Kong on August 6, 2020, and was stopped by an immigration officer at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point. He was charged with contravening sections 8(4) and 8(5) of the Regulation and was fined $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today.
The second case involved a man aged 42, who was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that he must conduct quarantine at home for 14 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, he left the place of quarantine on December 27, 2020, without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer. He was charged with contravening sections 8(1) and 8(5) of the Regulation and was fined $8,000 by the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts today.
Breaching a compulsory 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 sentences send a clear message to the community that breaching a 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 164 persons have been convicted by the courts for breaching 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/Thursday, July 22, 2021
Issued at HKT 18:30
Issued at HKT 18:30
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