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Coronavirus: Indian businessman jailed in Hong Kong for breaking quarantine laws

  • Deepak Kumar sentenced to four weeks behind bars after being caught trying to leave city day after he arrived
  • Arrivals are required to undergo 14 days in self-isolation, and city is now closed to non-residents

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Deepak Kumar was jailed for four weeks at Kwun Tong Law Courts Building. Photo: Nora Tam
A Hong Kong court has jailed the first non-resident for leaving their quarantine site without permission during the coronavirus pandemic.

Deepak Kumar, 31, was sentenced to four weeks behind bars on Monday after he pleaded guilty to one count of leaving the place of quarantine without the permission given by an authorised officer.

Kwun Tong Court heard the Indian businessman arrived in Hong Kong from Turkey on March 21, and was placed under a written quarantine order to stay in isolation at Mojo Nomad Aberdeen Harbour Hotel in Aberdeen, for 14 days.

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But immigration officers found him trying to leave Hong Kong via Shenzhen Bay Control Point without permission the following day and intercepted him.

Deepak Kumar tried to leave Hong Kong via Shenzhen Bay port the day after he arrived in the city. Photo: Felix Wong
Deepak Kumar tried to leave Hong Kong via Shenzhen Bay port the day after he arrived in the city. Photo: Felix Wong
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He was subsequently sent to a quarantine centre and brought to court on April 4 after the isolation period had ended.

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