Government completes enforcement action on compulsory testing notices at two buildings in Tung Chung and Sham Shui Po

     The Islands District Office and the Sham Shui Po District Office, together with the relevant police districts and the Department of Health (DH) conducted enforcement operations today (May 21) respectively at a building in Tung Chung and Sham Shui Po, which were included in separate compulsory testing notices earlier. The operations started at around 7am today. The operation in Sham Shui Po ended at around 10am today while the operation in Tung Chung ended at around 11am today.
 
     Starting from around 7am today, persons subject to compulsory testing of Tower 11, Carmel Cove, Caribbean Coast, 1 Kin Tung Road in Tung Chung and 37-39 Fuk Wing Street in Sham Shui Po, were requested to provide the SMS notification received through a 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 notices of the two buildings within the specified period issued by the Government earlier on. The Government arranged for staff to verify the testing certifications of the persons subject to compulsory testing at the entrances/exits of the two buildings, and conducted checks in the buildings to verify whether persons subject to compulsory testing had undergone testing in compliance with the requirement.

     During the operation in Tung Chung, test records of around 970 persons were checked. Among them, 18 persons were found to have violated the compulsory testing notice. During the operation in Sham Shui Po, test records of around 90 persons were checked. Among them, 14 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, and offenders are liable to a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     The Government reiterates that the aim of issuing a compulsory testing notice is to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the community as soon as possible to protect 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 the many residents who had complied with the compulsory testing notice 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 notice. Any person who fails to comply with the compulsory testing notice may be liable to a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person will also be issued with a compulsory testing order, requiring him or 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 Islands District Office and the Sham Shui Po District Office are grateful for the support and co-operation of the Police and the DH to enable the enforcement action to be carried out smoothly. The Government understands that the enforcement process may cause some inconvenience to the residents, but hopes that the residents can understand.