Fines For Covid Violations Rising To HK$5,000

The government announced on Friday that fixed-penalty fines for people who breach anti-epidemic rules would be increased from HK$2,000 to HK$5,000 from December 11.

A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said the increase is needed to help combat Covid-19.

"Faced with the epidemic surge, apart from tightening various infection control measures, it is imperative to increase the relevant penalties in order to create the necessary deterrence effect and ensure strict compliance with relevant requirements," he said.

Anyone who breaches the public gathering ban on groups of more than two people, fails to wear a mask in public, or refuse to submit to a Covid-19 test when ordered to, are subject to the penalty.

The maximum penalties for violators who are convicted in court will rise to HK$10,000.

The government said authorities will step up enforcement action, and if the higher fines do not have the desired effect, they could be increased further in future.

But for now, the level of increase is significantly lower than the original plan to raise the fixed penalty to HK$10,000, after experts warned such a move would be "unfair" and unaffordable for those on lower incomes.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam had said on Tuesday that with no end in sight to Covid-19 outbreaks in the SAR, a higher fine is needed to deter people from violating social distancing rules.

But FTU lawmaker Alice Mak questioned whether the increased penalty will have much of a deterrence, saying the extra several thousand dollars won't make a lot of difference.

She also called on the government to roll out compulsory testing for all Hongkongers.

"I hope that these measures, the increase of the penalty will help to increase the deterrent effect of the penalty and more people will be willing to abide by the concerned measures. But most important of all is mandatory comprehensive testing... because we need to contain the virus in a very short time”, she said.

Several infectious disease specialists, meanwhile, have called on the government to strengthen law enforcement, saying many venue owners tend to flout pandemic rules as soon as inspection officers leave.

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