The heads of the Immigration and Customs & Excise Departments today confirmed they attended a dinner at a catering premises and were issued fixed penalty notices for failing to meet the maximum number of people allowed to be seated together rule under the Prevention & Control of Disease Ordinance.

In response to media reports, Director of Immigration Au Ka-wang and Commissioner of Customs & Excise Hermes Tang issued statements separately confirming their attendance at the dinner, adding that the fine has been paid.

In his statement, Mr Au said he will exercise particular caution when attending events in the future and be sure to meet with the requirement. Mr Tang made the same pledge in his statement.

Regarding media reports that the dinner was connected to a criminal case, both officials stated it was not related.

As the case's legal proceedings are ongoing, both officials have declined to comment further.