Fourteen Fined After Surprise Covid Test Checks

Authorities said on Friday that they had fined 14 people in Sham Shui Po HK$5,000 each for failing to comply with a compulsory Covid testing order, after surprise checks were carried out in the area.

At 7am, officers from the police, Auxiliary Medical Service and Home Affairs Department swooped on six buildings that had been issued with the order, demanding residents show proof that they had been tested.

The operation ended at 10:30am.

Authorities had earlier imposed stricter than usual testing requirements in part of Sham Shui Po, in light of a growing number of coronavirus cases there. Residents will have to get tested if there is just a single infection reported in their building.

In a statement, the Home Affairs Department said the authorities had checked 220 residents and those who hadn't followed the order were again told to undergo testing. It warned that those who fail to comply could face a larger fine of HK$25,000 and six months in prison.

The department said it may conduct another round of inspections in the future.

It added that it realises that such enforcement operations may cause inconvenience to residents, and appealed for people's understanding.