Chief Executive Carrie Lam today thanked the vast majority of the public for co-operating with the compulsory measures adopted by the Government to prevent and control the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic.

In a statement, Mrs Lam explained that all the compulsory measures taken by the Government amid the epidemic are necessary and with legal basis.

She said: “It is an offence to breach the rules and penalties are clear. Regardless of whether members of the public are required to undergo compulsory virus tests or commercial or personal activities are subject to restriction, we hope that we can have the full co-operation of the public in order to achieve the expected results."

Mrs Lam noted that the vast majority of the citizens were fully co-operative during the four compulsory testing operations at the restricted areas and in the relevant law enforcement actions in the past week.

The operation at Blocks 5 and 7 of Laguna City completed this morning with no residents found to have not undergone compulsory tests. In the law enforcement operations conducted at three restricted areas in Jordan, Yau Ma Tei and North Point, about 200, 5 and 15 residents were identified as having violated the compulsory testing requirement.

"I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to members of the public for their understanding and co-operation. Various government departments will continue to take stock of their experience for the benefit of the operations, with a view to minimising inconvenience caused to the residents and suppressing the epidemic effectively as soon as possible, so that economic activities and people’s daily lives can return to normal,” Mrs Lam said.

The Chief Executive also sent regards to a public officer who was injured in an attack when taking part in the operation to enforce a restriction-testing declaration last night and condemned the assailant's violent behaviour.

“Hong Kong is government by the rule of law. Violent acts are totally unacceptable. Testing programmes implemented by the Government are intended to safeguard public health, and inconvenience caused to the public is minimised as far as possible.

“Members of the public may raise their questions or express their views through various means. They should not pick on the working staff or even resort to violence."

The statement emphasised that the Government will proactively enforce the anti-epidemic regulations, including verifying the testing certification of residents of buildings subject to compulsory testing and inspecting premises to check if there is illegal operation or violation of relevant requirements.

It will also take enforcement action in public places in relation to regulations on mask wearing, group gatherings and more, the statement added.