Two persons were sentenced by Magistrates' Courts today (December 5) for violating the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation (Cap. 599A) and the Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation (Cap. 599E) respectively.

     The first case involved a 46-year-old woman, who earlier tested positive for COVID-19 and was issued with an isolation order. Before the end of the isolation period, she left the place of isolation on September 12. She was charged with contravening sections 23(1), (3) and (5) of Cap. 599A and was sentenced to a fine of $2,000 and two weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months by the Shatin Magistrates' Courts today.  
 
     The second case involved a 30-year-old woman, who was earlier issued with a compulsory quarantine order stating that she must conduct quarantine at a hotel. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, she left the place of quarantine on April 22, without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer. She was charged with contravening sections 8(1) and (5) of Cap. 599E and was fined $5,000 by the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today.
 
     ​​A spokesman for the Department of Health said the sentences send a clear message to the community that breaching a quarantine order or an isolation order is a criminal offence. The Government will not tolerate such a violation and reminds the public again to comply with the relevant regulations. The spokesman reiterated that co-operation of 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/Monday, December 5, 2022
Issued at HKT 18:41

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