People wearing face masks shop for plants and flowers in Hong Kong on March 22, 2020. (ISAAC LAWRENCE / AFP)

HONG KONG - Hong Kong police have intercepted five people and will place 36 others on the wanted list for contravening quarantine orders during compulsory quarantine, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said on Sunday.

Since the introduction of compulsory quarantine arrangements for persons arriving at Hong Kong from foreign places on March 19, the HKSAR government has been enforcing the regulation with full force in the past two days, said a spokesman of the HKSAR government.

The HKSAR government strongly condemned anyone who intends to contravene quarantine orders, as such actions increase the risk of community transmission, said a government spokesman

Law enforcement agencies have been conducting spot checks against suspected offenders with the aid of electronic monitoring systems. Five people were found to have left their dwelling places without permission, with two of them having removed or cut off the electronic monitoring wristbands.

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Following the interception of the five persons by the police, the HKSAR government's Department of Health has immediately started the relevant investigation in collaboration with the police and is collecting evidence for the Department of Justice's consideration of prosecution.

All the five concerned have been sent to quarantine centers subsequently.

During the police's operations, 36 people were also found to have left their dwelling places without permission. Police will place them under the wanted list and continue to locate them.

The HKSAR government strongly condemned anyone who intends to contravene quarantine orders. Such actions increase the risk of community transmission and will bring about negative impact to the health of others and public at-large, said the spokesman.

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Leaving dwelling places without permission is a criminal offense and offenders are subject to a maximum imprisonment for six months and fine of 25,000 Hong Kong dollars (about US$3,221).

The spokesman said the HKSAR government urged all people under quarantine to follow the law and appeals to members of public to report contravention to the police.