Woman sentenced for breaching compulsory quarantine order

     A 22-year-old woman was fined $5,000 by the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (May 18) for violating the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C).

     The woman was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that she must conduct quarantine at home for 14 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, she was found to have taken off her wristband on May 7, 2020, without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer upon a police visit. She was charged with contravening sections 8(4) and 8(5) of the Regulation and was fined $5,000 by the Eastern Magistrates' Courts. 

     Breaching a 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 compulsory 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 138 persons have been convicted by the courts for breaching compulsory 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.