Hundreds Fined, Dozens Prosecuted Under Covid Laws

Police have issued 357 fines since a new law came in banning public gatherings of more than four people due to the coronavirus pandemic and 14 prosecutions have been initiated, the government said on Friday.

Officials also said the police, the Department of Health, and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) have made more than 60,000 spot checks to make sure people are complying with the city's social distancing measures and have issued more than 9,000 verbal warnings.

Meanwhile, the FEHD has started legal proceedings against 59 restaurants in relation to coronavirus prevention measures after making some 70,000 inspections.

Various temporary rules in place for restaurants include a limit of four people per table and a distance of at least 1.5 metres between tables.

As for businesses told to shut altogether, such as bars, gyms, and different kinds of entertainment venues, two have so far been prosecuted for ignoring the closure orders.

Police have made 10,000 inspections at such premises, the government said.

The new laws, most of which came into effect at the end of March, are due to stay in place until May 7.