Hong Kong democrat Helena Wong released from prison, will isolate at home after catching Covid-19

Hong Kong democrat Helena Wong has been released from prison after completing a 28-day jail term over scuffles in two Legislative Council (LegCo) meetings in 2020. However, the ex-lawmaker must undergo isolation at home after contracting Covid-19 while in prison.

The former lawmaker tested positive for Covid-19 four days before she was set to be released, according to Facebook post published by Wong on Monday.

Ex-lawmaker Helena Wong leaving Lo Wu Correctional Institution on January 9, 2023. Photo: Helena Wong, via Facebook.

Despite testing negative on a RAT test on Monday morning, Wong must still undergo at least one more day of quarantine at home because of the five-day isolation order. If she tests negative on a RAT test on Tuesday, she will be allowed to leave home.

“When I left Lo Wu (Correctional Institution) this morning, I was asked to wear full protective gear, and was sent back home with point-to-point transport,” Wong’s Facebook post read.

“[I] will have to prepare for the case of 47 democrats after taking some rest. [I] hope that I will never have to return to Lo Wu (Correctional Institution) in my life!” Wong wrote.

Quarantine requirements for Covid-19 patients were relaxed in December from seven days to five days.

Ex-lawmaker Helena Wong at her home after completing a four-week jail term on January 9, 2023. Photo: Helena Wong, via Facebook.

Wong was sentenced to four weeks in prison in December after pleading guilty in two cases concerning a House Committee meeting and a LegCo meeting in 2020.

The ex-Democratic Party lawmaker is also among the 47 democrats charged under the Beijing-imposed national security law after taking part in an unofficial primary election in 2020 for the then-postponed LegCo election.

Wong is among 17 of the 47 defendants to have pleaded not guilty. The trial is scheduled to begin later this month after the Lunar New Year.

Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team