HK introduces smart wristband for forced home confinement

HONG KONG — Hong Kong residents returning from Hubei province, whose capital Wuhan is the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, will be required to wear wristbands that would allow the authorities to monitor their whereabouts during the newly mandated 14-day home confinement, the government said on Monday.

Director of Health Constance Chan Hon-yee said at a press briefing that violators who are found to have tampered with the monitor device and left the designated residential units will face imprisonment of up to 6 months and a fine of HK$5,000 on conviction.

The Chinese mainland has recorded more than 17,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection. A total of 361 people have been killed.

According to Government Chief Information Officer Victor Lam Wai-kiu, the government has already sourced 500 wristbands and would obtain 1,000 more within two weeks.

The wristband works with a designated smartphone and cannot be removed by the wearer. Lam said that the arrangement would not violate people's privacy as it collects no personal data.

According to Under Secretary for Food and Health Chui Tak-yi, three quarantine centers in the city are nearly full, with 76 of the total 97 units being occupied.

The government is looking for more locations for quarantine centers, Chui said. Two possible locations are the Jao Tsung-I Academy in northwestern Kowloon, and the Sai Kung Outdoor Recreation Centre in eastern New Territories, he said.