One confirmed COVID-19 case in criminal detention

One confirmed COVID-19 case, surnamed Zhu, was in criminal detention over concealing the fact that he had been in contact with previous confirmed cases.

This information was released on a press conference of Guangzhou on June 8, on which Yang Bingsheng, deputy head of Guangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau, informed of several cases of violation of management regulations related to the prevention and control of the pandemic in Guangzhou.

(Photo: Xu Hao)

Case of concealing history of traveling and contact

On May 25, Mr. Zhu, a resident in Beilian Village, Dashi Street, Panyu District, went to visit his parents in Baihedong Street, Liwan District (the parents were identified as confirmed cases on May 30). He then went to hospital on June 2 and 4 due to cough and fever symptoms, but he didn't truthfully inform the doctor of his travel history over the past 14 days, concealing the fact that he had been in contact with confirmed cases and had been to a high-risk area. Later, he was diagnosed as a confirmed case.

By June 6 before he was quarantined, he had been to many places in Panyu District, resulting in a large number of people becoming close contacts.

These people were then required to go through isolation and observation process, triggering a serious risk of the spread of the virus. At present, he has been put under criminal detention by the city's Public Security Bureau on suspicion of obstructing the prevention and control of infectious diseases.

Cases of spreading rumors

Cases 1: On June 2, a Guangzhou-based advertising company released a piece of pandemic-related false information on its WeChat official account, seriously disrupting the social order. At present, Mr. Lin, the owner of this account, has been sentenced to detention over fabricating and intentionally spreading false information.

Case 2: On May 30, Mr. Feng fabricated a false message and sent it to his sister, saying his roommate was diagnosed as a confirmed case. Due to his message, the prevention and control departments of Huangshi Street, Baiyun District, took urgent measures to deal with the epidemic situation as he lived in his sister's home in this region on May 24. But according to investigation, his roommate was not a confirmed case of COVID-19. Feng's behavior had caused panic, resulting in related departments deploying a large number of personnel and resources to deal with it. At present, he had been sentenced to administrative detention.

Case of refusing COVID-19 test

On June 6, the police in Conghua District and staff members of health government departments came to conduct an on-site nucleic acid test for a man surnamed Xiao living in a hotel in Xincheng Xi Road, Chengjiao Street. The man refused to open the door at first. Then, he hit the police with an iron fork when the staff were preparing for the test. Now, Xiao has been detained by the security authorities on suspicion of assaulting police.

Cases of leaving lock down areas without permission

Case 1: On May 31, a man surnamed Ji from Hailong Street came to the epidemic prevention and control station, asking for leaving the community. Ji forced his way through the control, assaulted and injured the police staff. Now, Ji has been detained by the security authorities on suspicion of assaulting police.

Case 2: On June 7, three villagers in Hainan Village violated home quarantine requirements and went fishing. Now, the villagers have been given penalties for violation of regulations specified in Guangzhou's Supplemental Announcement on Classification of Areas (No. 15).

According to Zhang Jianshan, deputy head of Bureau of Justice of Guangzhou, the city has seen a small number of people refusing to cooperate with epidemiological investigations, which have violated laws and regulations of China and will be punished. Article 12 of the country's Law on the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases states that any unit and individual on the territory of the People's Republic of China must respond to inquiries by disease prevention and control, and health institutions, accept their investigations as well as preventive and control measures including sampling and observing quarantine, and provide truthful information.

Acts that disturb public order, endanger public safety and disturb prevention and control of infectious diseases such as interference with public administration and spreading rumors, shall be penalized or investigated in accordance with the stipulations of the country's Criminal Law and the Law on Public Security Administration.

Author | Abby & Nancy (intern)

Editor | Wing, Monica & Jerry