Hong Kong police have arrested three men accused of undermining the city’s anti-pandemic efforts, with one suspect allegedly inciting residents to bomb Covid-19 community testing centres. Among the suspects is a 28-year-old man accused of knowingly exposing others to Covid-19 while he was infected, according to the force. That offence carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a HK$5,000 (US$639) fine under the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation. Superintendent Wilson Tam Wai-shun, of the cybersecurity and technology crime bureau, said an investigation suggested the man had violated a quarantine order by visiting different places such as restaurants while he was carrying the virus. He added that the suspect was also accused of deliberately leaving behind used tissues at the places he visited, exposing others to the risk of transmission – an act Tam described as “irresponsible” and “selfish”. The case came to light after the man allegedly posted about his behaviour on a social media platform and officers from the bureau came across the posts during a regular cyber patrol. Hong Kong police arrest teen over scuffle with officers at basketball court The man tested positive for the coronavirus via a rapid antigen kit on February 23. The Centre for Health Protection confirmed his case on February 27, according to the force. Tam said the man subsequently tested negative via rapid antigen kit after he was picked up by police on Tuesday. The suspect, 28-year-old photocopier technician Lam Hin-yeung, was charged with exposing others to the risk of infection and denied bail when he appeared before Kowloon City Court on Wednesday afternoon. Lam has reserved his right to renew his bail application on March 17. Two other men were also arrested in police raids on Tuesday. The second suspect, 21, was accused of calling on Covid-19 patients to spread the virus in an online post, according to police. While he has not been charged, police said the man was also suspected of violating the provisions of the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation concerning exposing others to the risk of infection. Carrie Lam confirms universal testing still on the cards, but more time needed Tam said the third man, 27, was suspected of posting online messages inciting others to bomb Covid-19 testing facilities and attack staff members at the centres. The superintendent said the man was detained for attempting to provoke others to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or property, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. He was also accused of inciting others to cause a fire and to commit assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He said the latter two suspects had been released on bail, pending further investigation. He added that investigations were ongoing and further arrests were possible. On February 24, national security police arrested two women who were accused of posting messages online calling on people to flout anti-pandemic measures and refuse Covid-19 vaccines. The pair, who were the owners of a Taiwanese drinks shop in Mong Kok, were charged in connection with 18 posts made on Facebook and Instagram, which prosecutors argued were capable of inciting hatred or contempt towards the government, raising discontent among residents and counselling disobedience to law or to any lawful order.