The Department of Health today issued a reminder to the public stating that those who test positive for COVID-19 or are close contacts of such confirmed cases must comply with isolation or quarantine orders.

To combat the fifth wave of the epidemic and fight against the virus together, the department explained that citizens should follow relevant requirements. It also stressed that it will stringently follow up on all non-compliant cases.

Since July 15, the Government has required confirmed cases to put on electronic wristbands during the home isolation period, with a view to ensuring compliance with the isolation requirement under the law. Such individuals must not leave their household area to further minimise the chance of community transmission.

Confirmed cases who leave their household area during the home isolation period, do not put on the electronic wristbands, cut off the electronic wristbands or uninstall the StayHomeSafe mobile app are considered as violating the isolation orders, which is a criminal offence.

The department pointed out that such offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for six months.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, the Government has enacted a number of regulations under the Prevention & Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap 599).

For the cases handled by the department, as of August 20, around 260 people have been convicted by the courts for breaching regulations related to isolation or quarantine and have received sentences including immediate imprisonment for up to four months or a fine of up to $15,000.

The department stressed that the sentences have sent a clear message to the community that breaching relevant regulations is a criminal offence that the Government will not tolerate.

In addition, currently over 600 suspected cases of violating isolation or quarantine related requirements are under investigation or being followed up, including over 140 suspected cases of violating isolation orders in relation to wearing electronic wristbands.

Separately, the Government called on the public to follow compulsory testing directions and compulsory testing notices under the Prevention & Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap 599J).

Any person who fails to comply with such notices will be deemed as committing an offence and the maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months, while the fixed penalty for discharging the liability is $10,000.

Other people may also be issued with a compulsory testing order requiring them to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Any individual found to be in breach of such an order would be liable to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

As of August 20, the department had processed over 25,000 compulsory testing orders and over 7,000 fixed penalty notices.