In response to media enquiries, a spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) today (December 2) said that while people suspected to be infected by COVID-19 will be admitted to hospitals for isolation and treatment, the Centre for Health Protection of the DH requires asymptomatic close contacts of confirmed cases to be put under mandatory quarantine.
On rumours circulating on the Internet that the family member of a confirmed case does not need to undergo mandatory quarantine at a quarantine centre, the DH stressed that under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599), the Government is empowered to issue quarantine orders to put close contacts of confirmed cases under mandatory quarantine at quarantine centres, and people who fail to comply could be fined and imprisoned.
The spokesman appealed to members of the public to fight the disease together with a view to achieving the highest effectiveness of the mandatory quarantine measures, as early isolation of high-risk groups can help stop the chain of infection.
In order to suppress the latest wave of the epidemic, the Government has put in place various anti-epidemic measures. The public should strictly comply with the measures, including avoiding crowds, keeping social distance and maintaining personal hygiene. Collective efforts by the community are essential for protecting ourselves, our families and the public at large, especially high-risk and disadvantaged groups.
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