Two women sentenced for breaching compulsory quarantine order
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The first case involved a woman aged 57, 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 twice in March 2021 without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer. She was charged with two counts of contravening sections 8(1) and 8(5) of Cap. 599C and was sentenced by the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today to imprisonment for 14 days, suspended for 24 months for each of the two charges, with the sentences to run concurrently.
The second case involved a woman aged 37, 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 Cap. 599E and was sentenced by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today to imprisonment for four weeks, suspended for twelve 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 192 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/Friday, October 15, 2021
Issued at HKT 19:28
Issued at HKT 19:28
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