A Hong Kong man who took public transportation and visited a number of restaurants while positive for the coronavirus has pleaded guilty to breaching Covid-19 rules.
Appearing at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday morning, Lam Hin-yeung admitted to exposing others to the risk of infection, according to local outlet The Witness.
The court heard that the 28-year-old technician took two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Covid-19 tests on February 23 and 25 after being told to by his employer. He tested positive via a rapid test on February 24, and negative on February 28.
Over the course of five days between February 25 and March 31, Lam went to multiple restaurants in eastern Kowloon, including Tsui Wah Restaurant and Fulum Palace in Wong Tai Sin, and Genki Sushi in Diamond Hill.
He also took buses to the shopping malls and buildings where the restaurants were.
He posted on Facebook that he wished to “spread the virus” at eateries deemed to have pro-government interests.
Police arrested Lam on March 8 after reviewing his social media comments and records on government contact tracing app LeaveHomeSafe, which customers must scan to enter restaurants and other establishments. He told police he was apologetic and only wanted to eat.
Under the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation, or 599A, one who exposes others to the risk of infection knowing he or she is “a contact or is infected with a specified infectious disease” faces a maximum fine of HK$5,000 and imprisonment for six months.
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