The Cross-departmental Working Team will continue with its operations to raid premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and conduct inspections in the streets, with the action plan adjusted when necessary, in a combat that will be maintained long-term. Residents are encouraged to report any suspect cases, while promotion to visitors against illegal accommodation will be reinforced. During the operation today (Aug 16), 23 premises were checked. Two premises where accessed, which were normal residences. Since the law on “Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation” took effect on August 13, a total of 96 premises were checked, 24 premises were accessed, of which 9 were normal residences. Fifteen premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, and electricity and water cut, a total of 73 occupants were detained, including 2 operators who are also working as touts, an operator (a couple who jointly run a premise suspected to provide accommodation illegally), one managing staff, one tout, and one guest who failed to fulfill her duty of cooperation. Following the raid to premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved managing staff, touts and operators. According to the new law, managers incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas and operators face a maximum 20 000 patacas fine. Guests who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas. The new law confers investigation powers to MGTO, and during the four consecutive days of inspections to premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, MGTO staff together with Public Security Police Force (PSP) conducted 14 operations, wherein 96 premises were checked. For those premises not accessed, investigations will continue, and MGTO can request a judge’s order to enter into the suspect premises to investigate. Parallel with the combat against illegal accommodation, MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau proactively promote the new law to visitors and citizens. A new round of promotional activities will also be launched soon.
