Man sentenced for breaching compulsory quarantine order
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The man was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that he must conduct quarantine at home for 14 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, he left the place of quarantine several times in December 2020 without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer. The man was then taken to the Tso Kung Tam Outdoor Recreation Centre (the Quarantine Centre) to serve the remaining quarantine period. However, he escaped from the Quarantine Centre on December 26, 2020. He was charged with contravening sections 8(4) and 8(5) of the Regulation and was sentenced by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today to immediate imprisonment for seven days.
Breaching a compulsory quarantine order is a criminal offence and offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months. A spokesman for the Department of Health said the sentence sends a clear message to the community that breaching a quarantine order is a criminal offence that the Government will not tolerate, and solemnly reminded the public to comply with the regulations. As of today, a total of 170 persons have been convicted by the courts for breaching quarantine orders and have received sentences including immediate imprisonment for up to 14 weeks or a fine of up to $15,000. The spokesman reiterated that resolute actions will be taken against anyone who has breached the relevant regulations.
Ends/Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Issued at HKT 19:30
Issued at HKT 19:30
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