Five persons were sentenced by the Magistrates' Courts today (February 7) for violating the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation (Cap. 599A) or the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C).

     The first three cases involved two men aged 52 and 68, and a woman aged 54. They were earlier issued with compulsory quarantine orders. Before the expiry of the quarantine orders, they left their place of quarantine on July 10 and July 17 last year and September 20, 2021, respectively. The two men were each charged with one count of contravening sections 32(1) and (3) of Cap. 599A and the woman was charged with one count of contravening sections 8(1) and (5) of Cap. 599C. The 52-year-old man was fined $5,000 by the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today. The 68-year-old man and 54-year-old woman were sentenced to imprisonment for seven days, suspended for 12 months and a fine of $10,500 respectively by the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today.

     The other two cases involved two men aged 76 and 28. They earlier tested positive for COVID-19 and were issued with isolation orders. Before the end of the isolation period, they left the place of isolation on August 24 and November 24 last year respectively. The 76-year-old man also removed his electronic wristband. He was charged with one count of contravening sections 23(1), (4) and (5) and one count of contravening sections 32(1) and (3) of Cap. 599A. He was sentenced to imprisonment for 14 days, suspended for 12 months for each of the charges, with the sentences to run concurrently by the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today. The 28-year-old man was charged with one count of contravening sections 23(1), (3) and (5) of Cap. 599A. He was sentenced to imprisonment for seven days, suspended for 12 months by the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today.

     ​​A spokesman for the Department of Health said that co-operation and support by members of the public play a critical role in anti-epidemic work. They must strictly observe relevant requirements in order to fight the pandemic and minimise the risk of transmission in the community. The spokesman reiterated that resolute actions will be taken against anyone who breaches the relevant regulations.

Ends/Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Issued at HKT 18:35

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