Coronavirus: 56 under investigation for trying to flee Hong Kong while under quarantine, reveals health minister Sophia Chan
- Health secretary Sophia Chan says 173,000 have been sent to quarantine since the coronavirus crisis emerged, but lawmaker criticises supervision regime
- Four have been jailed for breaking confinement orders, an offence carrying a maximum jail sentence of six months
Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee also revealed on Wednesday that the Department of Health had sent more than 173,000 into quarantine, as of Monday, and officers had made about 390,000 telephone or video calls to check up on those confined to official centres, their homes, or chosen accommodation.
Opposition lawmaker Kwok Ka-ki said officers should have contacted those subject to the orders more often, but pro-establishment legislator Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said the data suggested the city’s health measures had been successful.
Chan also disclosed that eight people were suspected of providing false or misleading information, referring to the now-criminalised act of concealing medical or travel history from health workers.
Referring to the 56 people suspected of trying to flee Hong Kong in breach of 14-day quarantine orders, Chan said: “The [Department of Health] and police will continue investigations into the cases concerned and gather more evidence for consideration by the Department of Justice for making prosecutions.”