Coronavirus: homeless Hongkonger remanded in custody for allegedly evading mandatory quarantine by reporting fake address
- Sing Kin Kung-kai was required to enter a 14-day quarantine upon his arrival in Hong Kong on March 8 via Shenzhen Bay Port
- But he allegedly lied to a government nurse at the control point that he had a fixed place of abode in the city
A homeless Hong Kong man who allegedly evaded mandatory quarantine by reporting a fake address was remanded in jail custody by a court on Monday.
Tuen Mun Court heard the defendant, Sing Kin Kung-kai, was required by a compulsory quarantine regulation to enter a 14-day quarantine, upon his return to Hong Kong on March 8 via Shenzhen Bay Port.
But he allegedly broke the newly enacted law by lying to a government nurse at the control point that he had a fixed place of abode in the city, according to court documents.
He pleaded not guilty on Monday to giving false information to an authorised officer, an offence punishable by a HK$25,000 (US$3,222) fine and six months’ imprisonment under the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation.
The court refused his bail application following prosecutors’ objection. He will appear in Fanling Court next Monday, when a trial date will be fixed.
