Man sentenced for violating Prevention and Control of Disease (Disclosure of Information) Regulation

     A 43-year-old man was sentenced to 120 hours' community service by the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (August 11) for violating the Prevention and Control of Disease (Disclosure of Information) Regulation (Cap. 599D) (the Regulation).  The case was the first conviction case under the Regulation.

     The man was found to have provided false information to a medical practitioner about his travel history during a medical appointment at the Queen Mary Hospital on March 4. He was charged with contravening section 4 of the Prevention and Control of Disease (Disclosure of Information) Regulation (Cap. 599D) and was sentenced by the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today to 120 hours' community service.

     Under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Disclosure of Information) Regulation (Cap. 599D), it is a criminal offence for any person to provide false or misleading information to health officers/medical practitioners acting in the course of professional practice. Offenders face a maximum fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for six months.   

     A spokesman for the DH said the sentence sends a clear message to the community that breaching regulations related to combating COVID-19 is a criminal offence that the Government will not tolerate and solemnly reminds the public to comply with the regulations. The spokesman reiterated that resolute actions will be taken against anyone who has breached the relevant regulations.