China imprisoned for "super spreader" in violation of epidemic prevention rules for 3 years

A Chinese court sentenced a man who violated epidemic prevention regulations and brought an outbreak of COVID-19 virus infection to 3 years in prison, the Beijing Daily of the Chinese newspaper reported on June 14th.

According to the newspaper, the People's Court in Xining City, Qinghai Province, sentenced Mr. Ma to 3 years in prison the day before, accused of interfering with the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.

The defendant reportedly left Shanghai with his wife and two daughters in his car and moved to Xining, Qinghai Province on March 30th, shortly after Shanghai was blocked by the rapid spread of COVID-19.

After arriving in Xining, the defendant not only went shopping without reporting to the Residents Committee, but also used a restaurant and attended a gathering of friends to violate the epidemic prevention rules.

Local governments in China report to the Residents Committee immediately after arrival for people from other regions, and quarantine them for a week or two to undergo a gene amplification (PCR) test.

People who came into contact with the defendant were subsequently infected with COVID-19. It is said that 124 people were infected through the defendant.

The court said, "The defendant violated the epidemic prevention rules and spread COVID-19," and "considered the fact that he pleaded guilty and reflected on it," and explained the reason for the sentence.