The government on Tuesday said it’s toughening the punishment for people who refuse to comply with its compulsory Covid-19 notices in order to strengthen what officials called the “deterrent effect.”

Currently people face a fine of HK$10,000 if they ignore the testing notices or when their buildings are sealed off for testing.

But from Thursday, the penalty will be more than doubled to HK$25,000 with a jail sentence of six months.

If parents fail to use their “best endeavours” to ensure their children comply with testing orders, they too could be punished, officials added.

Health officials also warned that if people refuse to follow quarantine or isolation orders, they will also be slapped with a fine of HK$10,000 and a jail sentence of half a year.

They urged all people to follow the testing, quarantine or isolation orders in order to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the community.

“We will continue to closely monitor the development of the epidemic situation and review the various measures in place from time to time with a view to making suitable adjustments taking into account all relevant factors,” officials said in a statement.

The new penalties were approved by the Executive Council on Tuesday.