Two persons were sentenced by the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today (February 19) for violating the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C) (the Regulation).

     The first case involved a man aged 53, who was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that he must conduct quarantine at home for 14 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, he left the place of quarantine on July 5, 2020, without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer. He was charged with contravening sections 8(1) and 8(5) of the Regulation and was sentenced by the Magistrates' Courts today to immediate imprisonment for two weeks.  
 
     The second case involved a woman aged 47, who was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that she must conduct quarantine at a hotel for 14 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, she left the place of quarantine on January 7, 2021, without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer. She was charged with contravening sections 8(1) and 8(5) of the Regulation and was sentenced by the Magistrates' Courts today to immediate imprisonment for 13 days. 
 
     Pursuant to the Regulation, starting from February 8, 2020, all persons who have stayed in the Mainland, Macao or Taiwan in the 14 days preceding arrival in Hong Kong, regardless of their nationality or travel documents, will be subject to 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 December 25, 2020, all persons arriving in Hong Kong (either via the airport or land boundary control points) who have stayed in places outside China on the day of arrival in Hong Kong or during the 21 days before that day have to undergo compulsory quarantine for 21 days in designated quarantine hotels. Breaching a quarantine order is a criminal offence and offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months.
 
     A spokesman for the Department of Health said the sentences send a clear message to the community that breaching a compulsory quarantine order is a criminal offence that the Government will not tolerate, and solemnly reminded the public to comply with the Regulation. As of today, a total of 112 persons have been convicted by the courts for breaching compulsory quarantine orders and have received sentences including immediate imprisonment for up to 14 weeks or a fine of up to $15,000. The spokesman reiterated that resolute actions will be taken against anyone who has breached the relevant regulations.

     An Immigration Department (ImmD) spokesman today (February 19) said that the department was notified by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) yesterday afternoon (February 18) that a Vietnamese illegal immigrant detained at Ma Tau Kok Detention Centre (MTKDC) had tested positive for COVID-19.
 
     In view of the latest developments of the COVID-19 epidemic, currently all detainees newly admitted to MTKDC will undergo COVID-19 testing. In addition, according to the advice of the CHP, the above-mentioned persons should be tested again for COVID-19 within 14 days of detention after the first test.
 
     One Vietnamese illegal immigrant was sent to MTKDC on February 5 for detention pending removal. The Vietnamese person concerned was required to undergo COVID-19 testing when newly admitted and tested negative. On February 17, the Vietnamese person concerned was required to undergo a second COVID-19 test and was confirmed as testing positive for COVID-19 in the afternoon yesterday. The Vietnamese person concerned was admitted to hospital for treatment immediately. The other eight detainees once isolated in the same confinement with the Vietnamese person concerned were classified as close contacts and arranged to stay in quarantine centres for quarantine and medical surveillance.
      
     The ImmD will actively co-operate with the CHP's measures and instructions for disease prevention and control including arranging COVID-19 testing for all detainees and ImmD staff members at MTKDC as soon as possible. MTKDC has also immediately suspended all visits until further notice. Meanwhile, the ImmD has carried out thorough cleaning and disinfection for the detention facilities concerned.

     The Labour Department (LD) is investigating a fatal work accident in Tai Wai this afternoon (February 19) in which a man died.
         
     The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident, and is now conducting an investigation to look into its cause.

     The Government gazetted today (February 19) the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Amendment of Schedules 1 and 3) Order 2021 (the Amendment Order), to amend Schedules 1 and 3 to the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) (the Ordinance) for the inclusion of more endangered species on the control list.
 
     A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said that the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is implemented in Hong Kong through the Ordinance and hence the Ordinance is updated from time to time in light of the latest requirements of CITES. The Amendment Order aims to give effect to the latest regulation of CITES on the controlled species.
 
     The Amendment Order mainly reflects the addition, removal and other changes of species listed in the Appendices to CITES, which involves multiple species of lizards, salamanders, sea cucumbers, mako sharks, otters, turtles and tortoises, etc. Some existing control will also be relaxed to facilitate the corresponding trade. For example, the control on some Dalbergia spp. (some may call it "rosewood") in relation to musical instruments will be relaxed with a view to facilitating the trading of relevant musical instruments. The Amendment Order also includes some of the latest resolutions in relation to the implementation of CITES, including the conditions for acceptance of CITES documents, exemption for scientific exchanges, etc. Major amendments are set out in the Annex. 
 
     Under the Ordinance, except with exemptions or otherwise specified, the import, export, re-export, introduction from the sea or possession of the controlled species, including their parts and derivatives, are subject to licensing control. The Amendment Order will be tabled at the Legislative Council on February 24 for negative vetting and the new control measures will come into effect on April 30. A Licence to Possess must be obtained within the three-month grace period (i.e. on or before July 29) for the possession of specimens of Appendix I species or live specimens of wild origin of Appendix II species for commercial purposes. Local trading of the listed species in stock, which were already imported legally before the implementation of the new amendments, can continue to take place under licensing control. The AFCD will notify traders concerned about the legislative amendments to the Ordinance through circular letters, and brief relevant stakeholders about the new control measures.
 
     The spokesman said, "More endangered species will be included on the control list after the amendments to the Ordinance are effected. This will help enhance protection of more endangered species and enable Hong Kong to make a contribution to nature conservation at an international level."
 
     The spokesman reminded the public that it is illegal for any person to import, export or possess any endangered species without a required licence. Offenders are liable to a maximum penalty of a $10 million fine and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction. The specimens will also be forfeited. For licensing requirements for the species listed on different appendices, please visit the website: www.cites.hk or call 1823 for enquiries.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (February 19), 31 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 10 329 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
 
     At present, there are 677 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 224 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 264 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 23 public hospitals and a community treatment facility, among which 18 patients are in critical condition, 14 are in serious condition and the remaining 232 patients are in stable condition.
 
     The Hospital Authority will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.
 
     Details of the above-mentioned patients are as follows: