HAD prosecutes clubhouse for suspected violations of anti-epidemic regulation
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According to investigation, the responsible person did not comply with relevant requirements and directions issued by the Secretary for Food and Health in relation to the clubhouse under the Regulation in November 2020. The non-compliance included not having taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all persons within the clubhouse were wearing masks, having arranged live performance at the premises while some performers were not wearing masks and there were no effective buffers between the performers and any guest/the audience, and the number of persons exceeding 50 per cent of the normal capacity of the premises.
Having examined all available information, the OLA applied to the Court for a summons against the responsible person of the premises. The case will be heard in court.
The OLA will contact the patrons who had visited the above premises in November this year so as to investigate if they had contravened the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G) and/or the Prevention and Control of Disease (Wearing of Mask) Regulation (Cap. 599I). For those who committed an offence, the OLA will issue a fixed penalty notice to them.
The OLA noted that some of the patrons are currently hospitalised or under quarantine. All relevant patrons are called on to contact the OLA (Tel: 2881 7418/3107 3430 or by email at hadlaenq@had.gov.hk) as soon as possible to facilitate the investigation work. For those cannot be contacted, the OLA may consider further legal actions, listing the persons concerned as wanted and/or instigating prosecution.
The OLA will continue to proactively take stringent enforcement action and step up inspections at clubhouses in various districts across the territory to ensure that the responsible persons of the premises and the patrons strictly comply with relevant provisions in the regulations for the prevention and control of diseases. The Government appeals to members of the public for their full compliance with various anti-epidemic requirements so as to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in the community.
Ends/Thursday, December 24, 2020
Issued at HKT 17:00
Issued at HKT 17:00
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