To help control the spread of COVID-19, the Police have been conferred the power to enforce new laws, and have been actively assisting the Department of Health (DH) with tasks related to disease prevention, quarantine and prosecution.

Since the outbreak of the disease, police officers have been assisting with quarantine-related tasks at boundary control points and quarantine centres. They have also been carrying out spot checks on persons under compulsory quarantine orders. Besides, the Police have set up a contingent to fight the disease and activated the Major Incident Investigation and Disaster Support System to help monitor the spread of the virus. Simultaneously, the Police have mounted intelligence-led operations to combat scammers who try to capitalise on the epidemic.  

The Police have been actively supporting the work of the DH. The Police have located a number of persons in violation of the quarantine order and arranged for them to be sent to the quarantine centres. With the help from the Police, the DH has successfully prosecuted a number of persons for violating quarantine orders.

Since the epidemic has shown no signs of slowing down, the Government has earlier implemented newly added regulations under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599). The Police will enforce the relevant laws and follow up on reports from citizens, as well as carrying out spot checks on eateries and other designated premises in conjunction with other departments.