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Two women were convicted and fined at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Court today (February 7) for managing a guesthouse in Mong Kok without a certificate of exemption or a licence as required under the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance (HAGAO).
One woman was fined $8,500 and the second woman was fined $5,000
The court heard that officers of the Home Affairs Department's Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) located the two unlicensed guesthouses in Mong Kok during inspections last year. After investigations, it was found that both guesthouses did not possess a valid certificate of exemption or a license in accordance to OLA¡¯s record. The two women, who admitted being responsible for managing the guesthouses, were subsequently charged with contravening Section 5(1) of the ordinance.
A department spokesman stressed that illegal guesthouses would not be tolerated and enforcement action would be taken against them to ensure the safety of patrons of these establishments. He also appealed to the public to report unlicensed guesthouses to the OLA at 2881 7498.
Ends/Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:02
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