Hong Kong Police have cautioned those planning to join a religious gathering on Friday that they may be found guilty of “taking part in an unauthorized assembly,” under the Public Order Ordinance and be liable to a maximum penalty of five years of imprisonment. In a statement the police said law enforcers are aware that someone has been calling on people to take part in an unauthorized assembly under the pretext of a religious gathering on Hong Kong Island on June 12. According to Schedule One of the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation, gatherings during a religious activity are exempted only if they are held at any premises constructed or regularly used as a place of worship. Thus, not all religious activities are exempted, the police said. The police also said engaging in public gatherings will also increase the risk of transmission of virus in the community and may violate the prohibition of group gatherings under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation.

Source: The Standard June 10, 2020 03:32 UTC