Four persons were sentenced by the Magistrates' Courts today (December 20) for violating the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation (Cap. 599A), the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C) or the Prevention and Control of Disease (Disclosure of Information) Regulation (Cap. 599D).

     The first two cases involved a 16-year-old man and a 59-year-old man, who were earlier issued with a compulsory quarantine order. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, the 16-year-old man left the place of quarantine twice on May 30 whereas the 59-year-old man left the place of quarantine on May 25. The former was charged with two counts of contravening sections 32(1) and (3) of Cap. 599A and was sentenced by the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today to imprisonment for seven days, suspended for 12 months for each of the charges with three days imprisonment of one of the charges to run consecutively. The latter was charged with contravening sections 8(1) and (5) of Cap. 599C and was sentenced by the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today to imprisonment for seven days, suspended for 12 months and was fined $5,000.

     The third case involved a 26-year-old man who earlier tested positive for COVID-19 and was issued with an isolation order. Before the end of the isolation period, he left the place of isolation on May 28. He was charged with contravening sections 23(1), (3) and (5) of Cap. 599A and was sentenced by the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts today to imprisonment for seven days, suspended for 12 months and was fined $5,000.

     The fourth case involved a 26-year-old man who earlier tested positive for COVID-19 through a rapid antigen test. He provided a false residential address to a health officer through the "Declaration System for Individuals Tested Positive for COVID-19 Using Rapid Antigen Test" on April 15. During the subsequent enquiry by an authorised officer on April 17, he provided false or misleading information. He was charged with two counts of contravening sections 3(4) and (5) of Cap. 599D and was sentenced by the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today to a probation order for 12 months for each of the two charges, with the sentences to run concurrently.

     A spokesman for the Department of Health said 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. The spokesman reiterated that resolute actions will be taken against anyone who breaches the relevant regulations.

Ends/Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Issued at HKT 20:32

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