The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, visited the new monitoring centre set up by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) at North Point Government Offices this afternoon (March 30) to encourage the hard-working OGCIO personnel and members of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) who are taking part in anti-epidemic work.

     Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Ms Annie Choi, and the Government Chief Information Officer, Mr Victor Lam, Mrs Lam viewed the operation of the centre to learn about how the OGCIO has been assisting in the implementation of compulsory quarantine for persons arriving at Hong Kong from overseas through continuous improvements to the monitoring wristbands and the mobile app. Mrs Lam chatted with the centre's staff and noted that apart from OGCIO personnel, a number of ICAC members have also been taking part in the monitoring work at the centre. She expressed her gratitude to all public officers for taking the initiative to handle tasks in addition to their routine duties to help with the anti-epidemic work, demonstrating the commitment of the whole Government to fighting the disease together.

     Since the implementation of compulsory quarantine for persons arriving at Hong Kong from overseas, which has been in effect since March 19, the Department of Health has issued quarantine orders to 50 000 relevant persons. Thousands of personnel and volunteers from various government departments have been mobilised to carry out the quarantine work, including monitoring people under quarantine and providing various kinds of support to them.

     "Given the large number of people subject to compulsory quarantine, self-discipline and co-operation of people under quarantine are of utmost importance to the effectiveness of the measures. The Government will nonetheless exercise zero tolerance towards breaches of quarantine orders and stringent enforcement actions will be taken. I urge all people under quarantine not to defy the law for the sake of themselves and the community," Mrs Lam said.

     The magistrates' courts ruled on three cases of breaches of quarantine orders today. The three offenders were all sentenced to immediate imprisonment with the longest term being three months of imprisonment. The Government welcomed the judgments.

      

     Police today (March 30) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Mong Kok.

     Lee Wing-cheong, aged 54, went missing after he left an elderly home on Tai Tsun Street on March 27 morning. Staff of the elderly home made a report to Police on March 28.
    
     He is about 1.7 metres tall, 50 kilograms in weight and of thin build. He has a pointed face with yellow complexion and short grey hair. He was last seen wearing a dark blue vest, a black and grey stripe long-sleeved shirt, grey trousers and black sports shoes.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8038 or 9020 6542 or email to rmpu-kw@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     The Financial Leaders Forum (FLF), chaired by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, held its eleventh meeting today (March 30).

     Members were first briefed on the work of the Government and financial regulators in maintaining the financial stability of Hong Kong amidst volatility in the financial markets as the situation of COVID-19 has evolved. They noted that different facets of Hong Kong's financial system have been functioning smoothly and orderly so far amidst challenges in the global, regional and local environment. The Government, financial regulators and the industry have also implemented a number of business-continuity measures including work-from-home arrangements as needed. The Government and financial regulators will continue to stay alert and closely monitor the market situation.

     Members were also briefed on the latest progress of the implementation of various initiatives to promote Hong Kong's financial services in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Members noted that various initiatives relating to personal banking and insurance services have been implemented to promote the flow of people and capital in the GBA. Capitalising on the vast opportunities presented by the GBA development, the Government and financial regulators will continue to liaise closely with Mainland authorities to explore further measures to strengthen financial co-operation in the GBA.
 
     Members were also briefed on the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited's (HKEX) strategy and action plan for the internationalisation of its businesses. Members agreed that the HKEX's plan for internationalisation would be conducive to consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an international financial centre.

     Three men were sentenced to immediate imprisonment for up to three months by magistrates' courts today (March 30) for violating the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap 599C) (the Regulation).
      
     In the first case, a 31-year-old man gave a false residential address for use as place of quarantine to an authorised officer at a border control point. He was charged with contravening section 9 of the Regulation and was sentenced to immediate imprisonment for three months at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today.
      
     The second and third cases involve two men aged 37 and 41 respectively. They were issued compulsory quarantine orders stating that they must conduct their quarantine at home for 14 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine orders, they left the place of quarantine without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer and were stopped by staff of the Immigration Department at border control points. They were charged with contravening sections 8(1) and 8(5) of the Regulation and were sentenced at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today to immediate imprisonment for 10 days and six weeks respectively.
      
     The Government welcomed the judgments. The sentences send a clear message to the community that breaching quarantine orders is a criminal offence and that the Government will not tolerate such actions. The Government reiterates that compliance with quarantine orders is of paramount importance in Hong Kong's fight against COVID-19.
      
     Pursuant to the Regulation, save for exempted persons, all persons who have stayed in the Mainland, Macao or Taiwan in the 14 days preceding arrival at Hong Kong, regardless of their nationality or travel documents, will be subject to a compulsory quarantine for 14 days. Moreover, pursuant to the Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation (Cap 599E), starting from March 19, all persons arriving from countries or territories outside China would also be subject to a compulsory quarantine for 14 days. Breaching quarantine orders is a criminal offence and offenders are subject to a maximum imprisonment for six months and fine of $25,000. The Department of Health solemnly reminds persons under quarantine to comply with the statutory requirements and conduct their quarantine for 14 days.

     A man who went missing in Sheung Shui has been located.

     Ma Lok-ki, aged 30, went missing after he left his residence in Kan Tau Tsuen on March 14 noon. His family made a report to Police on March 17.

     Police located the man on On Pong Road, Tai Po on March 28 afternoon. He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.