Press Release

CSD further suspends social visits to persons in custody in light of epidemic development

     To prevent the spread of COVID-19 in correctional institutions, the Correctional Services Department (CSD) has implemented the "lock-up routine" in correctional institutions from February 18 to February 27, during which multiple transmission chains and suspected cases have been successfully detected through various measures including rapid antigen tests and the collection of deep throat saliva specimens. All the cases concerned have been isolated. While the relevant detection work is underway, it is anticipated that cases of infection will be found in the coming few days. According to the advice of a medical officer, the "lock-up routine" has to be continued at this stage in order to reduce the flow of people and contacts in correctional institutions effectively. As such, the CSD has decided to further suspend social visits to persons in custody (PICs) until February 27, and the arrangement will be reviewed in due course.

     The existing one-off arrangement of allowing every PIC to receive approved hand-in articles between February 14 and February 23 will be extended to February 27.

Ends/Tuesday, February 22, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:38