Man sentenced for breaching compulsory quarantine order
*******************************************************
The man was issued with a compulsory quarantine order on February 5, 2021, stating that he must conduct quarantine at home for 14 days. However, he failed to return to the place of quarantine immediately after his entry into Hong Kong on the same day without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer. He was charged with contravening sections 8(4) and 8(5) of the Regulation and was sentenced by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today to imprisonment for 20 days, suspended for 12 months.
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 sentence sends 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 177 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/Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Issued at HKT 19:00
Issued at HKT 19:00
NNNN