For the third consecutive day the Cross-departmental Working Team continue its operation to raid premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and conducts inspections in the streets. Today, two more premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were cracked and such enforcement actions will continue. During the operation today (Aug 15), 16 premises were checked. Five premises where accessed, of which 3 were normal residences. Two premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, and 20 occupants were detained. Since the law on “Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation” took effect on August 13, a total of 61 premises were checked, 20 premises were accessed, of which 6 were normal residences. Fourteen premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, a total of 64 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 and one who failed to fulfill her duty of cooperation. Staff from MGTO’s Inspection Division, together with additional manpower from other subunits, joined force with the Public Security Police Force (PSP) to take action around the clock and swooped in districts with higher density of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, conducted inspections in the streets and seized touts. At the same time PSP patrols are also vigilant to suspect, increasing the combat strength and broadening the search area. Following the operation, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved operators, managing staff and touts and adopted provisional measures to cut the supply of water and electricity to the above premises and sealed the doors. Directors and concerned department heads of MGTO also took on-call duties around the clock to give command and coordinate operations to combat the malpractice. Parallel with the measures against illegal accommodation, MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau proactively promote the new law to visitors and citizens. Pamphlets are available for visitors at all MGTO counters and more staff from MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau has been stationed at various checkpoints to distribute leaflets. After cracking premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally the Cross-departmental Working Team is also handing out to occupants the pamphlets. A new round of promotional activities will also be launched soon.
