Man sentenced for violating Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation
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The man was notified of his positive test result for COVID-19 on August 28. During the period when a Red Code was displayed in his Vaccine Pass, he left his residence and entered or attempted to enter scheduled premises under Cap. 599F between August 28 and September 1 for multiple times. He was charged with five counts of contravening sections 32(1) and 32(3) of Cap. 599A and four counts of contravening sections 9AA(1) and 9AA(2) of Cap. 599F. He was sentenced by the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts today a total fine of $37,000 and imprisonment for two months, suspended for two years with the sentence to run concurrently for the charges.
Under Cap. 599A, a person shall not, knowing that he or she is infected with a specified infectious disease, expose other persons to the risk of infection by the person's presence or conduct in any public conveyance or any street, public place, place of entertainment or assembly, club or hotel. Breaching Cap. 599A is a criminal offence and offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for six months. A spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) said the sentence sends a clear message to the community that it is a criminal offence to expose the public to the risk of infection by leaving the designated place of isolation without permission during the period of confirmed COVID-19 infection. The Government will not tolerate such violations and reminds the public again to comply with the relevant regulations.
Also, any person holding a Red Code who is present at catering premises or specified premises under Cap. 599F commits an offence and is subject to a maximum fine of $10,000. The DH will co-operate with other relevant departments to stringently follow up on cases of non-compliance and will consider prosecution based on investigation results and evidence.
The spokesman reiterated that co-operation and support by members of the public play a critical role in the anti-epidemic work. They must strictly observe relevant requirements in order to fight the pandemic and minimise the risk of transmission in the community.
Ends/Thursday, November 3, 2022
Issued at HKT 20:15
Issued at HKT 20:15
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