Government completes enforcement action on compulsory testing notice at building in Quarry Bay

     The Eastern District Office together with the Office of the Licensing Authority of the Home Affairs Department (HAD), the Eastern Police District and the Auxiliary Medical Service (AMS), conducted an enforcement operation on the compulsory testing notice today (February 10) at a building in Quarry Bay, which was included in a compulsory testing notice earlier. The operation started at 6.45am and ended at around 9am.

     Starting from around 6.45am today, residents of Po Lee Building, 995 King's Road, Quarry Bay, were requested to provide an SMS notification received through mobile phone or related certification containing the results of COVID-19 tests, to show that they had taken such tests as required pursuant to the compulsory testing notice within the specified period issued by the Government earlier on. The Government arranged staff to verify the testing certifications of the residents at the entrance/exit of the building, and conducted random checks in the building to verify whether residents have undergone testing in compliance with the requirement. 

     During the operation, test records of over 110 residents were checked. Among them, 25 persons were found to have violated the compulsory testing notice. The Government has issued fixed penalties of $5,000 and/or compulsory testing orders to them, requiring them to undergo testing within a specified period. Non-compliance with a compulsory testing order is an offence liable to a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months.  

     The Government reiterates that the aim of issuing the compulsory testing notices is to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the community as soon as possible to protect the overall public health and safety. Persons subject to testing under a compulsory testing notice should, as far as reasonably practicable, take appropriate personal disease prevention measures including wearing a mask and maintaining hand hygiene; and unless for the purpose of undergoing the specified test, stay at their place of residence and avoid going out until the test result is ascertained as far as possible.

     The Government wishes to thank all residents who had complied with the compulsory testing notices for their co-operation to fight against the virus together. The Government will continue to enforce the law strictly. All persons subject to compulsory testing should comply with the compulsory testing notices. Any person who fails to comply with the compulsory testing notices may be liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person will also be issued with a compulsory testing order, requiring him/her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Non-compliance with the order is an offence and the offender may be liable to a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months. 

     The Eastern District Office is grateful for the support and co-operation by the Office of the Licensing Authority of the HAD, the Police and the AMS to enable the enforcement action to be carried out smoothly. The Government is aware of the inconvenience caused to the residents, but hopes the residents can understand.