Commissioner of Police Siu Chak-yee today said he briefly stayed at a birthday gathering in Wan Chai at around 6pm on January 3 and he apologised for the additional burden caused by the incident on the city-wide anti-epidemic work.

In a statement, Mr Siu said in view of the situation where participants of the gathering had been tested or tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19 involving mutant strains, he will proceed on leave.

He will also fully co-operate with the arrangement made by the Centre for Health Protection by undergoing quarantine at the Penny's Bay Quarantine Centre.

During his leave, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Management) Kwok Yam-shu will be the Acting Commissioner of Police.