Two men were sentenced by Magistrates' Courts today (June 7) for violating the Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation (Cap. 599E).
 
     The first case involved a man aged 19, who was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that he must conduct quarantine at a hotel for 21 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, he left the place of quarantine on May 28, 2021, 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 bound over for 12 months with a recognisance of $1,000 by the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today.
 
     The second case involved a man aged 20, who was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that he must conduct quarantine at a hotel for 21 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, he left the place of quarantine on November 14, 2021, 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 $3,000 by the Kwun Tong 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 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 241 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/Tuesday, June 7, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:00

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