Two women were sentenced by the magistrates' courts today (September 29) for violating the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation (Cap. 599A). One of them also violated the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F).

     The first case involves a 28-year-old woman, who was notified of her positive test result of COVID-19 on August 31. During the period when a Red Code was displayed in her Vaccine Pass, she left her residence, took public transportation and entered a scheduled premises under Cap. 599F on September 1. She was charged with one count of contravening section 32(1) and 32(3) of Cap. 599A and one count of contravening section 9AA(1) and 9AA(2) of Cap. 599F. She was fined $12,000 by the Shatin Magistrates' Courts today.

     The second case involves a 52-year-old woman, who was earlier confirmed positive for COVID-19 and was issued with an isolation order, requiring her to be isolated at home for 14 days. Before the end of the isolation period, she left the place of isolation on August 16 and 17 respectively and removed her electronic wristband on August 17. She was charged with three counts of offences, with two counts of contravening section 32(1) and (3) and one count of contravening section 23(1), (4) and (5) of Cap. 599A. She was sentenced by the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today to imprisonment for 14 days, suspended for 12 months for each of the three charges, with the sentences to run concurrently.

     Under section 32 of 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. Under section 23 of Cap. 599A, a person under isolation must comply with the conditions of the isolation order, including wearing the electronic wristband and refraining from cutting it during the specified isolation period. Offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     Also, any person holding a Red Code who is present at a catering premises or specified premises under Cap. 599F commits an offence and is subject to a maximum fine of $10,000. The Department of Health will continue to co-operate with other relevant departments to stringently follow up on non-compliant cases and will consider prosecution based on investigation results and evidence.

     A spokesman for the Department of Health said the sentences send 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 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/Thursday, September 29, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:10

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